Tottenham are Europa League champions and have salvaged something out of a season that would otherwise have been their worst in club history. Now, the focus for Spurs in the back room turns immediately from the celebrations to an offseason of vital decisions and ruthless execution.
One of the key areas for Tottenham to upgrade is the midfield. Although they've unearthed a real gem this season in 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall and have high hopes for Archie Gray, there isn't enough star power in the middle of the park beyond James Maddison in the playmaker role.
A key transfer target for Tottenham is Real Betis standout Johnny Cardoso, for whom Spurs have a 21 million pound release clause. This clause is specially for Tottenham to use this summer as a sweetener in the deal that brought Giovani Lo Celso back to Real Betis last year.
Atletico Madrid seem favored over Tottenham
The problem is that there has been increasing buzz that Cardoso isn't interested in leaving Betis this summer, which would make the clause null and void, leaving the United States international ripe for a potential transfer somewhere else in 2026.
Now to make matters worse, it sounds like one of those competitors is gaining ground. Per a report from MARCA's Isaac Suarez and David G. Medina, Atletico Madrid are showing even more interest in Cardoso as a transfer target this summer, with Diego Simeone and others at the club highly interested in the young midfielder as a less expensive (in wages) alternative to Arsenal veteran Thomas Partey.
Atletico Madrid are a fixture in the Champions League and frequent title contenders in LaLiga. They hold a lot of cachet in world football and in Spain, and if Cardoso enjoys LaLiga, that could be another reason for the American to wait a year in Seville before moving to the capital in 2026.
Tottenham could be doubly annoyed by a Cardoso transfer to Atletico Madrid, since the Rojiblancos have been a rumored landing spot for Rodrigo Bentancur, who could be someone Spurs seek to move in 2026.
Cardoso seems to have designs on clubs other than Tottenham, and even a Europa League triumph may not sway his decision. Tottenham won't want to lose out on a key transfer target to another European power, especially not a young box-to-box midfielder who is one of the best young players ever produced by the United States. Worse yet, Spurs would lose out on a player who has a release clause with them, so Daniel Levy and Co. need to make a move here quickly to try and change things.