Tottenham will have the first option to sign Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso in the summer of 2025
Tottenham Hotspur were keen all summer to offload Giovani Lo Celso and they finally managed to do so on the transfer deadline day.
Giovani Lo Celso signed for Real Betis on transfer deadline day, returning to Benito Villamarin after four-and-a-half-seasons ago. The La Liga side acquired the Argentina international’s signature in a £8.4m deal excluding add-ons, alongside providing Tottenham the first option to buy Johnny Cardoso in the summer of 2025.
During the talks for the Lo Celso deal, Betis accepted an offer for Johnny Cardoso that can be activated by paying a £21m fee. However, the timeframe for Spurs’ option to trigger that clause will be valid for only two weeks during the 2025 summer transfer window. Other clubs across the world will be able to compete for the USA international once the North London club’s buy option expires.
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John Wenham, the owner of the reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose, feels Betis will ignore Johnny Cardoso’s development after agreeing a deal with Tottenham. He believes the Brazil-born defensive midfielder has the potential to be a strong signing for Ange Postecoglou’s club.
“This could be a good bit of business for Tottenham,” John Wenham said in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News.
“However, now the incentive isn’t so much with Betis to develop Cardoso. I’m sure, wherever possible, they will look to start other midfielders.
“They’re not going to focus on developing a player for Tottenham to sign next year.
“Therefore, the club were always going to run that risk with a deal such as this one. However, price-wise, it could still prove to be a steal if all goes to plan.”
Wenham’s concerns are appearing to be true with Cardoso yet to start a La Liga match for Manuel Pellegrini’s side so far this season. He has amassed just 46 minutes across two La Liga outings, although the 22-year-old was trusted from the start in Betis’ UEFA Conference League qualifiers against Kryvbas last month.
This isn’t good news for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham, with Betis potentially denying them the option to buy Cardoso next summer by using him sporadically in the La Liga this term. By not handing him starts in the league, the USA starlet will try to impress as much as possible in the cup competitions.
Of course, injuries, suspensions and form can result in a change in Pellegrini’s thinking, but the early signs are not promising. All Tottenham can do is hope Cardoso gets chances to feature more prominently in La Liga so that our club chiefs can evaluate his performances and decide whether to trigger the £21m buy option or not.
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If Cardoso’s situation remains the same, the best Betis could do is loan him in January for the second half of the season. AC Milan have shown an interest in the player and a temporary move to San Siro could help him get regular minutes as well as build his confidence.
