With the season of Real Betis that ends on Wednesday evening, their transfer trade is started seriously. One of the most likely outputs is USMNT -midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who has had an impact since arrival in Sevilla.
Cardoso, 23, was signed in January 2024 at Internacional in Brazil and locked more or less a starting role. Betis has already expanded its contract, but last summer it was a sales clause of € 25 million agreed with Tottenham Hotspur, in exchange for a price reduction on Giovani Lo Celso.
Traces are reportedly interested in Cardoso for next season, but require the green light of the player to make a movement. Their problem is that Atletico Madrid has made him a priority goal. Marca says that after the final of the Conference League Atletico has now made formal contact, after both parties have shown interest in a deal a few weeks ago.
Their information is that Cardoso has given the green light for a deal, and there is an oral agreement on personal conditions for a contract that will run for four or five seasons.
Now Atletico has to open conversations with Betis. Cardoso has a contract until 2030 and a release clause of € 80 million, but their expectation is that they can close a deal for a fee that would not have to pay too far from the € 25 million that Spurs would have to pay. Betis does have an interest in Rodrigo Riquelme, who can be a factor in the negotiations, although Atletico also tries to include him in a deal for Alex Baena van Villarreal.
Although the hope for the Metropolitano is that they can close a deal for Baena on time for the World Cup, Cardoso would not be available. He is ready to participate in the USMNT, while preparing for the Gold Cup this summer, which is why every deal that they struck through in July runs.