U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Johnny Cardoso appears to be in line to join La Liga giants Atletico Madrid following an excellent season with Real Betis, seemingly shunning interest from Tottenham Hotspur
All it took was one season for Johnny Cardoso to show La Liga just what he’s made of, before the 23-year-old U.S. Men’s National Team star was able to secure yet another big-money move, this time to Spanish powerhouse, Atletico Madrid.
Cardoso joined Real Betis in early 2024, having agreed to a deal back in October 2023 to leave Brazilian side Internacional for $6.3 million. However, sensing the youngster’s potential, Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur found a way to potentially secure his services in the future.
When selling Giovani Lo Celso back to Betis in the summer of 2024, the deal included an option to buy Cardoso for £21 million following the 2024-2025 La Liga season, as per Fabrizio Romano.
The option to purchase Cardoso, and match any competing offers that could come in for the midfielder, was not a guarantee of gaining his signature, though, with ElDesmarque revealing that he would need to green light any potential move.
Now, it appears that Tottenham have been left with egg on their faces, with Cardoso having seemingly shunned a move to London in favor of a La Liga switch, heading to Atletico for $34 million, according to Romano. The deal could yet include other players switching sides as well.
While Spurs were expected to attempt to make a move for Cardoso during this transfer window, another team said to be keeping a watchful eye on the American was Manchester United, although no evidence exists to suggest a bid was ever placed.
This comes as a major blow for Tottenham, losing out on a potentially impactful young signing following what has been an extremely challenging season. While head coach Ange Postecoglou did guide his side to a UEFA Europa League title win over United, in a thoroughly forgettable 1-0 win in Bilbao, his side ultimately finished 17th in the Premier League, narrowly outside of the relegation zone.
Their abysmal league form has left Postecoglou’s Tottenham future hanging in the balance, with Spurs said to be staring down a £4 million bill if they’re to let go of the Australian, shortly after having given the former Celtic boss a £2 million bonus.
However, with Cardoso seemingly set to choose Atletico over Tottenham, he will soon join forces with legendary head coach Diego Simeone, who is fresh off guiding his side to a third-place finish in La Liga.
Before then, Cardoso will continue working with another Argentinian coach in Mauricio Pochettino, as the USMNT prepares to take on Turkey and Switzerland in back-to-back friendlies ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14.
The USMNT will face Trinidad and Tobago, guest participants Saudi Arabia, and Haiti in the group stage, looking to win their first title in the competition since 2021, and their first of any kind under Pochettino.