Tottenham Hotspur might have secured a double win on transfer deadline day, addressing both immediate and future concerns. In addition to offloading Giovani Lo Celso, a player who had largely been a benchwarmer under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs also set the stage for one of Europe’s rising midfield stars, Johnny Cardoso, to potentially join the North London club in the near future.
On deadline day, Spurs agreed to sell Lo Celso back to Real Betis for a relatively modest fee of £8.5 million. While the fee might seem low for a player of Lo Celso’s caliber, there were several factors at play. One of the primary reasons was that Lo Celso was set to become a free agent in the summer of 2025 if he remained on the Tottenham sidelines. However, a more intriguing aspect of this deal is the arrangement Spurs made regarding Johnny Cardoso, a highly-rated midfielder currently making waves in La Liga.
Cardoso, who joined Real Betis from Brazilian club Internacional in January, has quickly established himself as a key player in Spain. The 22-year-old USA international, valued at £25 million, has impressed with his performances, particularly in the second half of the 2023/24 season, where he showcased some of the best ball-winning statistics among La Liga midfielders. As part of the deal that saw Lo Celso return to Betis, Tottenham ensured they would have the first refusal on Cardoso when the time comes for him to move on from the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
With Tottenham’s midfield in a state of flux—having lost Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Oliver Skipp, and with doubts lingering over Rodrigo Bentancur’s fitness—Cardoso could be the solution Spurs need to bolster their midfield ranks in the near future. Manu Fajardo, Betis’ sporting director, acknowledged Tottenham’s role in determining Cardoso’s future, stating, “(Lo Celso) has played an important role in terms of (Cardoso’s rights for the future). Leaving next summer? It would depend on Tottenham and other offers that come in.”
While Cardoso’s current season at Betis has seen him in and out of the starting lineup, his potential is undeniable. Tottenham’s interest in the young midfielder stems from his ability to dominate the midfield with his ball-winning prowess and tactical intelligence. Given the physical and technical demands of Postecoglou’s system, Cardoso appears to be an ideal fit for Spurs, both in the present and as a long-term investment.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou has expressed satisfaction with how the transfer window played out for Tottenham. Despite the recent 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, Postecoglou believes the squad is now better suited to his preferred style of free-flowing football. The arrivals of players like Dominic Solanke, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, and £35 million teenage sensation Archie Gray have given the team a more well-rounded and dynamic feel.
Reflecting on the transfer business, Postecoglou said, “I think it’s been another positive window. You want to go into every window and come out the other side of it in a stronger sense, and I certainly feel that. The players we’ve brought in are already making a short-term impact, and even in the longer term, I think they’re going to be really good contributors for us.”
Postecoglou’s comments underscore the significant transformation the squad has undergone over the past year. “I certainly think we’ve got a more well-rounded squad to deal with Europe, the extra games, and whatever injuries we have. So yeah, I think it’s been a real positive window,” he added. The Australian manager also noted the importance of the squad’s demographic shift and its alignment with the style of football he wants to implement at Tottenham.
“We’ve done a hell of a lot of work in 12 months, three windows. No doubt the squad’s changed. The demographic of the squad has changed, the suitability to the football I want to play, we’re much better equipped for that. There’s growth in the team, absolutely. We needed to do some fairly major work 12 months ago, and since then we’ve gone a long way to getting the team to where we want to,” Postecoglou concluded.
Tottenham’s proactive approach in the transfer market, highlighted by the potential acquisition of Johnny Cardoso, signals a clear intent to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. With the groundwork laid for future success and a stronger, more versatile squad in place, Spurs appear to be on the right track as they navigate the challenges of the Premier League and European competitions.