Daniel Levy and Tottenham will be red-faced after the latest developments over Johnny Cardoso.
Cardoso, 23, has played 23 times for Real Betis in La Liga this season as a defensive midfielder, and had a pre-agreement with Spurs in place for a summer move.
Ange Postecoglou was in charge at the time as Giovani Lo Celso went the other way, but the American international has scuppered those plans for Thomas Frank.
One thing for certain: Levy will not be happy.
Atlético Madrid agree deal for Cardoso
ESPN has now reported that Cardoso has snubbed Spurs to join Atlético in a transfer worth £25.5m.
The USMNT midfielder has a release clause of £68m in a new contract signed with the Spanish club.
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Diego Simeone wanted the player due to his La Liga experience, and he was a top target to strengthen his midfield, with Cardoso joining Betis from Brazilian side Internacional last year.
The young American reportedly felt valued after he was linked to Spurs.
If a move to Frank’s side was successful, he would’ve provided excellent cover in midfield going into 2025/2026, after a year of horrid injury luck.
James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, and Dejan Kulusevski all missed the Europa League final and suffered injury setbacks throughout the season.
What big players have snubbed Spurs?
Spurs won the Europa League despite a horrendous season domestically, which will be in the back of the minds of many players linked to the Lilywhites.
Postecoglou won over Mathys Tel after he initially rejected the N17 club while he waited for offers from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Tel, 20, joined Spurs from Bayern Munich permanently this summer, in a move worth £30m
Tottenham agreed a loan deal for Axel Diasi from Chelsea, but the player himself turned down the move and joined Aston Villa in February.
AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori wanted out of the San Siro, but after talks with Spurs, he opted to stay in Italy.
England centre half Marc Guehi, who is hot property this summer, is thought to have also snubbed Spurs, and may be moving to Liverpool.
His Crystal Palace teammate Eberechi Eze and Bryan Mbeumo are deals that Spurs will put everything into, and could add to the list of near misses in the future.
Levy will be desperate to avoid that fate again.