Spurs favourites to sign midfielder but many other clubs are interested

According to Estadio Deportivo, a long queue of clubs have now joined in the race for a Tottenham target ahead of January, even though the Lilywhites remain in the driver’s seat for the player.

Spurs have the option to buy a midfielder

The player in question is Johnny Cardoso, who Spurs have the option to buy for £25m next summer, with the North London club securing the option as part of Giovani Lo Ceslo’s sale to Real Betis in the summer (Telegraph).

It remains to be seen if the Lilywhites activate that option but reports from Spain suggest that it is certain to happen.

This was reported most recently by ABC Sevilla (via Sport Witness) last week, who claimed that the 23-year-old’s future ‘points to’ Tottenham.

Johnny Cardoso is now a wanted man

Estadio Deportivo have now also discussed Spurs’ option to buy the midfielder but they reveal that the player’s list of admirers is now growing.

They claim that Atletico Madrid are big fans of Cardoso, with Diego Simeone having asked the club’s hierarchy to secure the services of the USA international.

Additionally, the likes of AC Milan are also keeping an eye on the Betis star’s situation while the midfielder’s entourage have also fielded enquiries from Turkish, Greek and Saudi clubs.

Tottenham’s option may be useless

This report adds that the feeling at Betis right now is that Cardoso is likely to end up at Tottenham.

However, it is worth keeping in mind that Spurs’ option to buy the midfielder next summer may be useless if Atletico land the midfielder in January.

It would thus be interesting to see if Tottenham accelerate their approach for Cardoso if they find out others are plotting a move in the upcoming transfer window.