Wolves have now made an offer to sign amazing £20M player, but Tottenham already have agreement
The Premier League’s transfer market has developed an intriguing subplot as Wolverhampton Wanderers attempt to turn the tables on Tottenham Hotspur in the pursuit of Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso.
This developing saga carries added spice after Spurs’ eleventh-hour hijacking of Wolves’ deal for Kevin Danso in February, creating what appears to be an ongoing transfer rivalry between the two clubs.
Wolves have tabled a substantial offer that would triple the American international’s current wages at Betis, according to reports from Diario de Sevilla.
This aggressive move threatens to undermine Tottenham’s existing agreement with the Spanish club – a £20 million fee established as part of Giovani Lo Celso’s permanent transfer to Betis last summer.
While the north London club secured first refusal on Cardoso, the final decision ultimately rests with the player himself.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has blossomed into one of La Liga’s most consistent performers this season, earning plaudits from Spanish media who recently described him as “amazing” following a standout display in the Seville derby.
His combative style and tactical intelligence have made him a fan favorite at the Benito Villamarín, where Betis continue pushing for Champions League qualification under Manuel Pellegrini.
Cardoso’s public comments suggest he’s in no rush to leave Andalusia. “I’m very happy here and hope to continue enjoying my time at Betis for many years,” the US international recently stated, casting doubt over both English clubs’ chances of securing his signature.
This reluctance, combined with Betis’ potential European football next season, creates significant obstacles for any suitor.
The transfer mechanics reveal an unusual contractual situation. While Tottenham’s £20 million agreement gives them pole position, Betis remain free to accept higher offers – provided they pay Spurs a 20% penalty fee.
The exact calculation of this penalty remains unclear, with debate over whether it applies to the entire transfer sum or just the amount exceeding Tottenham’s agreed valuation.
Wolves’ interest carries an element of poetic justice after their Danso disappointment, with manager Vitor Pereira now outperforming his Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou in the Premier League standings.
The Midlands club’s recent resurgence – six consecutive wins propelling them to 13th place – makes them a more attractive destination than their current table position suggests.
For Tottenham, losing Cardoso to Wolves would represent more than just a missed transfer target – it would complete a symbolic reversal of their January coup.
The coming weeks will test Daniel Levy’s resolve, with Spurs needing to either convince Cardoso of their project or potentially watch him join a direct Premier League rival.
As the summer window approaches, this three-way standoff highlights the increasingly complex nature of modern transfers, where pre-agreements, penalty clauses, and player preferences create labyrinthine negotiations.
For Cardoso, the decision may come down to career timing – whether to continue his development in familiar surroundings or embrace the challenge of English football with either an ambitious but inconsistent Tottenham side or a Wolves team showing clear signs of progress under Pereira.