AC Milan could line up a January move for Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso

It took a while but Tottenham Hotspur were finally able to get Giovani Lo Celso out of the door in the past summer transfer window.

The Argentina international struggled to settle down in the Premier League and find his feet at the White Hart Lane. Opportunities few and far in between under Ange Postecoglou in the 2023/24 campaign, coupled with him not making the squad for the opening three Premier League games of this season, meant his time at N17 was all but over.

Giovani Lo Celso signed for Real Betis on transfer deadline day, returning to Benito Villamarin after four-and-a-half-seasons ago. Betis acquired the 2024 Copa America winner’s signature in a £8.4m transfer excluding add-ons, alongside handing Tottenham the first option to buy Johnny Cardoso in the summer of 2025.

During the talks for the Lo Celso deal, the La Liga side accepted an offer for Johnny Cardoso that can be triggered for a £21m fee. However, the Lilywhites have to exercise it during a two-week window in June 2025.

-> Tottenham Hotspur confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

According to a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, Tottenham could risk losing out on Johnny Cardoso to AC Milan.

AC Milan have lost Ismael Bennacer for the rest of 2024 due to a calf injury, forcing them to scour the market for midfield reinforcements. Cardoso appeared on their transfer wishlist and it is believed that he was hoping for a call from the Serie A giants in the summer, but that didn’t come to fruition.

The USA international could emerge on Milan’s radar in the wake of Bennacer’s injury.