Man Utd unlock Antony exit in January as '£9.1m transfer' nears completion

The path is about to clear for Antony to complete a transfer away from Manchester United as Real Betis winger Assane Diao nears a move to Como in January. Betis have been linked with a pursuit of the £86million flop this month, and Diao’s departure is expected to unlock an official approach.

According to The Times, the La Liga giants want to sign Antony on an initial loan deal until the end of the season.

Antony – who has registered just 12 goals and five assists in 94 appearances since joining United in 2022 – is said to be aware of the interest.

However, the report claimed that Betis needed to shift Diao before swooping for the 24-year-old and that development looks set to go through.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Como are closing in on a £9.1m deal to sign the Senegal-born 19-year-old in the coming days.

Como manager Cesc Fabregas is said to have held talks with Diao, and the transfer is now considered imminent.

Once the Spain Under-21 international seals his switch to Italy, Betis could pull the trigger in their efforts to recruit Antony.

The Times add that United would have to contribute towards a chunk of Antony’s £150,000-a-week wages if he were to leave for Spain.

Amorim has primarily utilised the Brazilian as a makeshift wing-back since taking charge of the Red Devils in November.

Antony hasn’t started a single one of United’s 19 Premier League games this season, accumulating just three in all competitions.

He will fall further down the pecking order once Amorim recruits at least one new wing-back and once the Marcus Rashford dilemma is resolved.

But the Portuguese tactician has spoken highly of Antony since entering the Old Trafford hot seat, admitting he currently lacks confidence.

“He needs more confidence. If you remember the Antony I played against him in Ajax, he lacks a bit of confidence to go one against one but he will improve,” Amorim explained in December.

“He’s working really hard, and he’s trying. He’s playing more inside than outside, especially in this game, and he just has to do that: work really hard, and I will help him to be a better player.”

That said, if Antony’s output doesn’t improve, an exit will be inevitable after a miserable three years since arriving in England from Ajax with Erik ten Hag.

And Diao’s departure could fast-track that outcome.