Player doesn’t have ‘any intention’ of signing for Tottenham – Agreeing to go elsewhere

Tottenham Hotspur appear increasingly likely to miss out on signing Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso, as the player edges closer to a move to Atlético Madrid.

Despite holding a preferential option to purchase the American international for €25 million, Tottenham seem to be on the losing end of this transfer race.

That option, agreed upon last August as part of the deal that sent Giovani Lo Celso back to Betis, is only valid through the end of this month. Even with that clause in place, the north London club must still convince Cardoso to join them—something that now seems highly improbable.

Cardoso, just 23 years old, has reportedly made it clear that his desire is to remain in Spain and continue his career in La Liga.

His preference for the Spanish top flight over a switch to the Premier League has steered him firmly toward Atlético Madrid.

According to reports from Diario de Sevilla, the midfielder has already agreed to terms with the Madrid-based club, making their pursuit far more straightforward than Tottenham’s theoretical advantage.

Atlético Madrid have wasted no time and have already submitted an initial bid of €30 million, including performance-related bonuses.

While this figure still falls short of Real Betis’ valuation of around €40 million, the Spanish giants are reportedly open to sweetening the deal.

One possible move under consideration is including a promising young player in the transfer package to bring the total value closer to Betis’ expectations. This flexibility and aggressive approach have placed Atlético in a commanding position.

Tottenham’s €25 million clause was designed to give them the upper hand in negotiations, but it now appears to be little more than a formality.

Cardoso has shown no interest in joining the newly crowned Europa League winners, regardless of the club’s financial offer or potential playing opportunities. This lack of intent effectively neutralizes the clause, giving Atlético Madrid a clear path forward.

The situation highlights a broader issue for Tottenham in their transfer strategy. Despite securing formal advantages in some negotiations, the club still faces challenges in convincing top talent to buy into their project.

Cardoso’s reluctance serves as a reminder that personal preference and competitive ambition often outweigh financial or contractual leverage.

In this case, the player’s affinity for La Liga and opportunity to play under Diego Simeone seem to have tipped the scales firmly in Atlético’s favor.

Unless Tottenham can pull off a last-minute reversal, Cardoso looks set to remain in Spain, where he continues to grow his reputation as one of the most promising midfielders in the league.

For Spurs, the failure to convert this option into a transfer may prompt internal reflection on how they structure future deals and position themselves as a more attractive destination for rising stars in European football.