Aston Villa could end Man United nightmare with cut-price transfer

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Aston Villa and Brentford have been credited with an interest in signing Manchester United outcast Antony this summer transfer window. Winger Antony spent the second half of last season on loan at Spanish side Real Betis, who he helped to reach the Conference League final where they were beaten by Chelsea.

Brazilian Antony, 25, has endured a pretty miserable spell at Old Trafford since joining the club from Ajax in the summer of 2022 for a substantial fee in the region of £82m, but the two years in Manchester haven't bore fruit; indeed he has made just 17 goal contributions in 96 appearances for the Red Devils and scored only once, in a 7-0 win over Barnsley, last season.

In Spain, though, Antony enjoyed a new lease of life under Manuel Pellegrini; the attacker scored nine goals and produced five assists as Betis finished sixth and secured Europa League football for next season.

It's clear that the player himself is open to the idea of returning to Betis on a long-term basis, provided the two clubs can come to an agreement - United are resigned to making a significant loss on the player wherever he ends up.

Reports suggest that Villa and Brentford are two top flight sides who could hand Antony a way out of United and provide him with a top flight lifeline; Villa have a proven track record when it comes to outcasts, as Marcus Rashford can attest to. Brentford, currently managerless after Thomas Frank left for Tottenham, are likely to need to replace star man Bryan Mbeumo.

Could Villa revive Antony's Premier League career? Have your say HERE

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