Blockbuster Antony SWAP on the cards after Man Utd scouting mission

Tom Weber

Updated: 26 Apr 2025 10:07 CDT
4 min read

Manchester United could look to offer up Antony in a potential swap deal for Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso, according to a report.

The Red Devils are preparing for a huge summer overhaul, and several big-name stars are on the chopping block. Antony, shipped out on loan to Real Betis, is one of the names expected to leave the club for good in the upcoming window.

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Compared

Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis

Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis

VS

Johnny

DM, M (C)

Real Betis

Johnny

DM, M (C)

Real Betis

€22.7M	ETV	€23.9M
€20.4M - €24.9M	ETV Range	€21.5M - €26.3M
25 years old (24 Feb, 2000)	Age	23 years old (20 Sep, 2001)
Brazil	Nationality	United States

The 25-year-old has managed to revive his career in Seville, with Real Betis desperate to keep him around beyond the season. It was recently claimed that the LaLiga side could look to extend his loan by a year, but Man Utd will surely be keen to get rid of him permanently.

To that end, Man Utd could look to explore the unique formula of a swap deal. According to United insider Sam Cohen, the Red Devils have taken a keen interest in Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso in recent times.

Cohen claims that Man Utd have been scouting him over the past few weeks and that the Premier League side may look to sign him this summer, with Antony potentially used as a makeweight.

Man Utd eye Cardoso swap

Man Utd have yet to formalise their interest in Cardoso, and no offer has been made for the American midfielder as things stand. It would be interesting to see how a potential swap deal would be structured, considering that Antony's value is increasing due to his good form.

Would Man Utd demand a fee for Antony, or do Real Betis value Cardoso higher than the Brazilian, forcing Man Utd to pay a fee? According to FootballTransfers' in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) algorithm, there isn't a lot between the pair.

Antony's ETV currently stands at €22.7 million, while Cardoso is valued a little higher at €23.9m, which suggests that a straight swap without a fee would be fair deal. There is also the factor of Tottenham, which would have to be considered.

Spurs managed to secure a right of first refusal on Cardoso last summer when they sold Giovani Lo Celso to Betis, and they also have a sell-on clause on the midfielder should they decide against signing him. A straight deal could potentially bypass the North London club.