Football Finance expert Dan Plumley hails the creative agreement that Tottenham have struck for Johnny Cardoso, describing the agreement as a ‘win-win’ for the North London club.
Spurs agree strange deal for Lo Celso sale
Tottenham have secured a rather unusual agreement as part of Giovani Lo Celso’s return to Real Betis during summer transfer deadline day.
The North London club now have the option to sign Cardoso for around £25m, with the option only thought to be valid for a two-week period in next summer’s transfer window (The Telegraph).
Some sources even suggested that if Ange Postecoglou’s men decide against activating it, they will automatically get a sell-on clause for the USA international (Football.London).
Some might view that as a very shrewd move by Tottenham, given the way the 22-year-old quickly established himself as Betis’ midfield general after breaking into the team last season.
Johnny Cardoso could be a shrewd deal for Spurs
Plumley is certainly mightily impressed with the agreement, suggesting that we might see more such deals to follow over the next few years.
When asked about the Cardoso deal, he told Tottenham News: “It’s a really unique agreement. I can’t think off of the top of my head of a similar deal that was structured like that so it is a rarity for sure.
“But it’s a really shrewd bit of business as well on the other side of it. I think [Giovani] Lo Celso was part of the deal as well to get him off of the books and over to Real Betis. He was one that perhaps needed to leave.
“So to do that, then have first priority on an up-and-coming player that you think perhaps could have potential in the future and if you don’t decide to go in for that player, you still have a percentage of the sell-on, I think that is a really shrewd bit of business from Spurs.
“Maybe we will see a bit more of that in the future as you say, but it is certainly unique at the minute, and it is almost a win-win for the club.
“If they do decide to go for that player, they have first priority. If they don’t think it’s the right move for them and that player moves on, they’ve got a little bit of business from it as well. I think it is a really shrewd bit of business if it plays out well for them.”
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We will know in due course whether this is a smart deal or not. Tottenham have taken a punt on Cardoso but they would be concerned at the fact that he has struggled to get into Manuel Pellegrini’s starting eleven so far this season.