Marca: The first choice for midfield recruitment, Atletico Madrid intends to sign Betis midfielder Cardoso this summer

May 21 According to the "Marca" report, Atletico Madrid is interested in Betis midfielder Cardoso, who is expected to fill the vacancy that Thomas has appeared after leaving the team in 2020. Under the current circumstances, Cardoso is the first choice for Atletico midfielder signings.

Thomas' contract with Arsenal will expire this summer, and Atletico Madrid has considered inviting him to return. However, this option has become unrealistic due to Thomas' high salary and financial requirements. Moreover, Atletico Madrid director believes that to create a lineup that focuses on both the present and the future, Cardoso is the best choice. On the one hand, he showed his ability to be a top midfielder in just one and a half seasons at Betis; on the other hand, he is only 23 years old, and Thomas is about to turn 32, so he can be the core of the team in the next decade.

Although Cardoso just renewed his contract with Betis until 2030 at the beginning of the year, Atletico Madrid believes the deal is feasible, mainly because Betis needs to balance the accounts by selling players by June 30, regardless of how they perform in the European Cup final on May 28.

Although Cardoso's contract renewal, 80 million euro termination fee and Tottenham's priority refusal are present, these factors have not reduced Atletico Madrid's confidence. Conversely, while Tottenham could sign him back from June 20 to July 10 for a fee of 25 million euros, or match higher offers from other clubs, the final decision remains in the hands of the players. Considering that Tottenham must win the Europa League to enter the Champions League, and Cardoso himself is interested in joining Atletico Madrid, Bedbane believes that the deal may be reached at around 25 million euros.