In a unique twist of deadline day business, Tottenham Hotspur struck two interconnected deals with Spanish club Real Betis involving a player who isn’t going anywhere for now.
The first deal was fairly standard, seeing Giovani Lo Celso return to the La Liga side after failing to make his mark in north London following his £27million transfer in January 2020. Given that he spent the last season-and-a-half on loan at Villarreal and wasn’t part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans, his exit was expected, albeit for a surprisingly low fee of £3million.
However, this nominal figure is tied to Spurs‘ other deal with Betis, which has turned heads. The Lilywhites have reportedly secured a ‘priority option’ on highly-rated US international midfielder Johnny Cardoso.
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This means they will have first dibs to sign the 22-year-old for £25.2million in the future. But that’s not all. Spurs are also believed to have negotiated a sell-on clause for Cardoso, meaning they would pocket a portion of the fee if the player signs for another team.
So Tottenham could financially gain from the sale of a player who never even steps foot on the pitch for them. However, considering Cardoso’s growing reputation at both club and international level, it would be surprising if Spurs don’t exercise their option to sign him.
With a midfield already brimming with options, Ange Postecoglou can afford to play the long game. Spurs are keeping silent on the Cardoso deal and that is not expected to change.
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Premier League fans might find the Cardoso agreement a bit out of the ordinary, but these sorts of deals are pretty standard fare abroad. It could be a savvy move from Spurs, ensuring they stay ahead in the queue for a hot prospect who has also caught the eye of clubs like Barcelona and AC Milan.
‘Johnny’, the name on his jersey, has roots in Brazil, though he was born stateside in New Jersey. His Brazilian parents had moved to the US seeking a better life but decided to head back to their homeland after Cardoso arrived.
After racking up 144 appearances for Internacional, Cardoso made the jump to Betis earlier this year and hasn’t wasted any time becoming a key player. Despite his dual heritage, when it came to picking a national team, Cardoso chose the Stars and Stripes over Brazil.
“When the chance came to play for the US, I didn’t think twice,” he is quoted by The Athletic. “I’m representing a country that my parents love.”
Cardoso’s reputation as a no-nonsense defensive midfielder means he could bring some much-needed grit to the Spurs squad if he ever ends up donning the iconic white shirt.