Marca have been reporting it for a while, as well as other places.
I see; this article says Cardoso extended his contract 3 months ago, which feels odd given our "contract" with him for EUR25m... but if our "contract" only applies from Jun20-Jul10 (as per the article) ORRRR we can pay 80m release clause ORRRR whatever Atleti offer, it is all rather confusing and vague.
Although just three months ago the
United States international of Brazilian origin (he also has an
Italian passport, something that would not be a problem for Atletico, who already have three non-EU players)
extended until 2030 the commitment that tied him to Betis until 2029, in the
Metropolitano they see it feasible that the operation could go ahead.
Mainly because of the overwhelming
need in Heliopolis to make a sale before June 30 to help balance the books for this financial year, regardless of what may come from the Conference League final on May 28.
Hence, neither the extension of the contract (in addition to recognizing Cardoso's performance, it also served the club to
reduce the annual amortization of the player and alleviate its economy), nor the
80 million euro release clause nor the
preferential option that Tottenham has reduce Atletico's optimism.
On the contrary, although the English club could launch a bid for his signing for a sum of
25 million euros between June 20 and July 10 or
match a higher offer that came from any other club, the
final word lies with Cardoso himself. In this sense, with Spurs' only chance of winning the Europa League to get into the
Champions League and with Atletico knowing that the midfielder would be
seduced by the idea of wearing red and white, it is understood that the operation could be channeled in terms not far removed from these amounts.