Antony Swap Deal on the Cards as Man Utd Scouts Target Major Transfer for Johnny Cardoso

Manchester United are reportedly exploring the idea of using winger Antony in a swap deal to land Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso this summer. With a major squad shake-up expected at Old Trafford, several players, including Antony — currently on loan at Betis — are believed to be heading for the exit, according to club insider Sam Cohen.

Antony has impressed during his time in Spain, regaining form and prompting Betis to show interest in keeping him beyond his loan spell. Although an extended loan has been discussed, United are said to prefer a permanent transfer for the Brazilian attacker.

To speed up a potential move, Manchester United are now considering offering Antony in exchange for Cardoso, a player who has been on their scouting radar in recent weeks. The 25-year-old American midfielder has attracted plenty of attention, and there are strong signs that United could make a formal move during the upcoming transfer window.

At this stage, United have yet to submit an official bid, but including Antony in the deal is seen as a viable option. Based on FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) algorithm, Antony is currently valued at €22.7 million, while Cardoso’s value stands slightly higher at €23.9 million, suggesting a straight swap could be mutually beneficial without requiring additional payments.

However, Manchester United could face competition from Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs reportedly hold a right of first refusal on Cardoso as part of their previous deal with Betis for Giovani Lo Celso and also have a sell-on clause attached to the American midfielder. If Tottenham decides to activate their option, it could complicate United’s hopes of securing Cardoso.

Regardless of these challenges, Manchester United are eager to resolve Antony’s situation quickly and continue building their squad with key reinforcements. Securing Cardoso through a swap deal could prove to be a smart move to strengthen their midfield while moving on from Antony.