Manchester United Target Real Betis Duo in Antony Swap Deal | OneFootball

Manchester United’s Antony Gamble and Real Betis’ Rising Stars

Antony’s Spanish Revival Fuels New Hopes

Manchester United’s £81 million gamble on Antony appeared destined for failure until a surprising twist in La Liga. As reported by Football365, the Brazilian winger, loaned to Real Betis after failing to start a Premier League match under Erik ten Hag or Ruben Amorim this season, has found new life in Seville.

Once mocked for failing to live up to his astronomical price tag, Antony has scored five goals and registered two assists in 17 matches for Betis. His resurgence has not gone unnoticed. Sporting director Manu Fajardo explained:

“Here, we work on devalued players, analysing data from players who have reached very high moments and peaks, but who for various reasons have significantly decreased their performances.”

In Betis’ case, Antony was a spark from the off.

“In Antony’s case, he has performed since minute one at Betis. The player quickly integrated into the project and has demonstrated spectacular performances since his arrival.”

Team-mate Isco even quipped:

“We hope that Antony will remain at the club, but in football, nothing can be taken for granted. We need to do crowdfunding to bring Antony in!”

Amorim’s Strategy: Swap and Rebuild

United manager Ruben Amorim appears ready to capitalise on Antony’s uptick in form. Reports from Spain suggest United have requested 19-year-old winger

in a swap deal, plus a discount on Antony’s £42 million asking price. Rodriguez, who boasts five goals and four assists in 39 appearances, could bring fresh energy to Old Trafford.

Photo IMAGO

Meanwhile, Amorim has set sights on 23-year-old midfielder

Photo: IMAGO

. The USMNT international has impressed since his £4 million move from Internacional to Betis, making 59 appearances and catching the attention of scouts across Europe.

Valuation Battles and Transfer Chess

According to Transfermarkt, Cardoso is valued at £17 million, while Rodriguez is pegged at £8.5 million. If negotiations succeed, United could collect both rising talents and an additional £16.5 million – a tidy piece of business given Antony’s struggles in England.

However, there remains a hurdle. Despite heavy interest, Cardoso remains content at Betis for now:

“Despite the rumors, the player himself has insisted that he is ‘happy and comfortable’ in Seville. At the moment he doesn’t think about an exit, although his name sounds strong in the English football offices.”

As Betis chase Champions League football, final decisions will hinge on the club’s end-of-season standing.

Final Thoughts: A Risk Worth Taking?

United’s faith in Antony may have backfired initially, but this proposed swap-and-sell manoeuvre feels astute. By reinvesting in hungry young players like Rodriguez and Cardoso, Amorim could usher in a fresh era at Old Trafford – provided the deals cross the line.

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Our View – EPL Index Analysis

An excited Manchester United supporter would view this situation as a massive win in the making. Let’s be honest — Antony’s Premier League career has been a disaster. £81 million for no tangible return was always going to sting, but if United can recoup real value, this becomes a rare triumph from a bad hand.

Jesus Rodriguez fits the mould Amorim wants: young, dynamic, and developing. Five goals and four assists in a competitive Betis side show he’s not a flash in the pan. As for Johnny Cardoso, he embodies the modern midfielder — mobile, tactically smart, technically sound. No wonder Amorim wants him. United fans would salivate at the prospect of a midfield boasting Cardoso’s energy alongside the likes of Kobbie Mainoo.

Sceptics might say Antony’s purple patch in La Liga doesn’t guarantee success in Manchester, but crucially, Betis’ desire to keep him means United hold the cards. If reports are accurate and the Red Devils can bag two promising talents plus significant cash, then this could quietly become one of the smartest moves United have made in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

It’s now up to INEOS and Amorim to close the deal before someone else beats them to it.