Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly be jolted into action in the January transfer window after learning of Aston Villa’s interest in one of their top midfield targets.
Spurs are in the driving seat in the race to sign Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso after the North London club obtained an option to buy the American while thrashing out Giovani Lo Celso‘s sale to the La Liga side in the summer.
Tottenham can sign Cardoso for £25m, with the option only thought to be valid for a two-week period in next summer’s transfer window.
If Ange Postecoglou’s men decide against activating the clause, they will automatically get a sell-on clause for the USA international.
Football Insider have now claimed that Tottenham’s plans for Cardoso could be about to change after Aston Villa stepped up their interest in the 23-year-old.
The report says that the Villans’ decision to enter the fray for the midfielder could ‘force Tottenham’s hand’, with Spurs now considering striking a deal for the player in the January window.
The publication adds that Cardoso is very highly regarded by the decision-makers at Tottenham, who do not want to see him end up as a direct rival.
The outlet says that they have heard from their sources that Spurs ‘will step in to land the deal’ in January if Unai Emery’s men make a move.
Tottenham’s option to buy Cardoso is only valid for next summer, which means that the Lilywhites would have to sit down to negotiate a fee with Betis if they wish to sign the player in January.
It remains to be seen if Spurs would want to get into a bidding war with other Premier League sides for the player, particularly as a number six is arguably not as much of a priority as some other positions across the pitch.
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