Tottenham Hotspur want to activate Johnny Cardoso release clause
Tottenham Hotspur had a productive January transfer signing, bolstering the first-team squad by signing Antonin Kinsky, Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel.
The late acquisitions of Danso and Tel were much-needed, especially when one looks at how stretched Ange Postecoglou’s options have become in both defence and attack due to injury problems. At one point, Spurs also seriously considered a move for Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso in the recently concluded winter transfer window.
Johnny Cardoso joined Real Betis from the Brazilian side Internacional in January 2024 and has since impressed in La Liga, so much so that the North London outfit have already moved to secure a first option on him at a pre-agreed price of £21 million. Giovani Lo Celso sealed a switch to Real Betis last summer and going by the performances of the USA international in La Liga this season, the pre-agreed price of £21 million could hugely benefit Spurs.
The defensive midfielder has made 25 appearances across all competitions thus far—including 15 in La Liga. He has become a mainstay at the heart of Betis’ midfield of late, completing 90 minutes in five of the last six La Liga fixtures. The 23-year-old’s solid performances have seemingly resulted in the Hotspur Way chiefs taking concrete steps in signing him.
According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, Tottenham are planning to trigger Cardoso’s £21million release clause this summer. The Lilywhites have to activate the clause in the first weeks of June when their first refusal option becomes valid.
Cardoso recently signed a contract extension at Betis until 2030 (Transfermarkt), but that is not expected to impact his potential departure or change any clause in the agreement made between Spurs and the La Liga club. Due to a pre-agreed price, Tottenham have the advantage over the counterparts for the United States international’s signature, with Aston Villa among the interested clubs.
The aforementioned report adds Ange Postecoglou has identified strengthening the defensive midfield role as a priority when the transfer window reopens, and Cardoso is regarded as the “perfect defensive midfielder” among the club’s top brass.
At 23, the Denville-born talent could solve one of Spurs’ biggest problems in the middle of the park while providing Big Ange’s side with much-needed balance. A combative midfielder, he’d be a perfect foil for creative players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Also, Cardoso is still relatively young and would the profile of signings the North Londoners have made in recent years.
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However, while negotiating a deal with Betis is not important anymore, Spurs need to convince Cardoso of the project under Big Ange. Daniel Levy and Johan Lange are building an exciting project at N17, and the American enforcer could be attracted to it.