Real Betis Nears Antony Deal After £25m Cardoso Sale to Atletico Madrid

Real Betis is on the verge of making a significant move in the transfer market as they prepare to bring Antony back to Seville permanently. The Spanish club has reportedly agreed to sell midfielder Johnny Cardoso to Atletico Madrid for over €30 million (£25m), a deal that will provide the financial boost needed to pursue the Manchester United winger.

Antony, who enjoyed a standout loan spell at Betis last season, quickly became a fan favorite. His professionalism and on-field performances have positioned him as a priority signing for the La Liga side. Betis has proposed a unique "shared" deal to United, which would involve paying a portion of the transfer fee upfront and acquiring additional shares in future installments until they fully own the player.

Manchester United has set an asking price of £32.58 million for Antony, but the final figure could rise depending on the structure of the agreement. With the impending sale of Cardoso, Betis is now in a stronger position to meet United's demands. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Cardoso deal, stating that the transfer is set to be finalized within the next 24 hours, marking Betis' second-largest sale in club history.

While Betis will need to replace Cardoso, the club is expected to allocate a significant portion of the £25 million windfall toward securing Antony. This development puts pressure on United to negotiate firmly, as other clubs, including Como, have shown interest in the Brazilian winger and are reportedly willing to meet the £32.5 million valuation.

With Ineos aiming to strengthen Manchester United’s squad, the club must ensure they secure a fair deal for Antony. As Betis prepares to finalize their finances, the next steps in this high-profile transfer saga will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.