‘Official’ – Fabrizio Romano drops final shot as Tottenham target goes elsewhere
Tottenham Hotspur have encountered several setbacks in the transfer market this summer, watching a number of key targets slip through their fingers.
Angel Gomes opted for a free transfer to Marseille, and rising Ligue 1 star Rayan Cherki stunned many by choosing Manchester City, a move that followed his standout performances on the international stage at the Nations League.
While Spurs initially stumbled with their internal decisions—particularly in their approach to Ange Postecoglou—they’ve somehow emerged from the chaos with a relatively strong footing.
The club’s decision to bring in Thomas Frank has added a layer of tactical acumen to their leadership, and the signings of Mohammed Kudus and potentially Morgan Gibbs-White signal intent to reshape their attacking unit with proven Premier League talent.
Despite those attacking acquisitions, Tottenham still face an uphill task in reinforcing their central midfield. They urgently need players who can stabilize the team from the middle of the park, yet their attempts to do so have been largely unfruitful.
One of their most attainable targets was Johnny Cardoso of Real Betis. His €25 million release clause had reportedly been linked to Tottenham through the Giovani Lo Celso deal a year prior.
By all accounts, it appeared to be a done deal, a move waiting to happen. Yet, rather than honoring the informal understanding, Cardoso rejected the opportunity and instead chose to remain in La Liga, finalizing a transfer to Atletico Madrid.
This development not only blindsided Spurs but also left them exposed, as it became clear they had failed to tie down the agreement with any real authority.
Responsibility for the failure largely falls on chairman Daniel Levy, who is now under scrutiny for allowing the situation to deteriorate to this point. The backlash among supporters has been swift, with frustration directed both at Cardoso for walking away and at the club for failing to act decisively when the opportunity was there.
Fabrizio Romano’s confirmation of Cardoso’s switch to Atletico Madrid, where he’ll join a revamped midfield alongside players like Conor Gallagher following Rodrigo De Paul’s exit to Inter Miami, felt like the final blow in what has been a cautionary tale for Tottenham’s recruitment strategy.
For fans, the official news didn’t come as a shock—it had been on the horizon for weeks—but it served as a harsh reminder of how the Lo Celso deal unraveled and how costly that misstep could prove to be.
As the dust settles, the club faces renewed pressure to address glaring gaps in their midfield. The need for a true defensive anchor and a reliable box-to-box presence remains urgent.
Tottenham, despite their Europa League triumph and rising profile, must now prove they can attract and secure the caliber of player that matches their ambitions.
Supporters still hold hope that the club will respond with strength and sign a midfielder not just equal to Cardoso, but superior—someone capable of reinforcing the squad in a way that reaffirms their place among Europe’s elite.