Paul Robinson has praised Daniel Levy for what he describes as a “very clever” move after Tottenham Hotspur secured a unique agreement with Real Betis involving Johnny Cardoso. According to reports, Spurs have secured a priority option to sign the 22-year-old midfielder from Betis for a fixed fee of £25.3 million. This deal gives Tottenham the option to trigger the transfer if they choose, but with an interesting twist.
Fabrizio Romano revealed on August 30 that if Tottenham decides not to pursue the signing, they will still benefit financially by receiving a percentage of any future transfer fee Betis might receive for the American player. Robinson, speaking to Tottenham News, expressed his admiration for the structure of this deal, noting that it’s not a common arrangement in football.
Robinson explained that this type of deal is unusual and reflects Tottenham’s interest in the player, although they may not yet see him as ready to be integrated into their squad or starting lineup. He speculated that the timing of the deal might have been a factor, with Real Betis potentially reluctant to part with the player so late in the transfer window. He described the sell-on clause for a player not yet at Tottenham as “clever business.”
The idea of securing the first refusal on a player is fairly standard in football, but the addition of a sell-on clause even if the deal isn’t completed is what makes this arrangement particularly innovative. Robinson attributed this strategy to Daniel Levy’s business acumen, noting that it’s a unique approach that hasn’t been seen before.
Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s chairman, is known for his sharp business sense, particularly when it comes to securing profitable deals for the club. While Levy’s popularity among fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may vary, his ability to strike financially advantageous deals is undeniable.
Recently, Levy also negotiated an agreement with Haringey Borough Council to increase the number of non-football events at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from 16 to 30 per year. This move is another example of Levy’s efforts to maximize revenue for the club.
The deal involving Johnny Cardoso presents Tottenham with an opportunity to potentially profit from a player who has never played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and has only made 23 first-team appearances for Betis. Whether or not Tottenham decides to bring Cardoso into their squad, the club stands to gain financially, a testament to Levy’s continuous search for ways to generate income for the club.
While Daniel Levy’s financial strategies continue to benefit the club, Tottenham fans are hopeful that the increased revenue will eventually translate into greater investment on the pitch, leading to success on the field as well.