Atlético Accelerates Pursuit of Álex Baena and Johnny Cardoso

Once an agreement has been reached with both 23-year-old footballers, Atlético Madrid is attempting to finalise the respective signings of Álex Baena and Johnny Cardoso with Villarreal and Betis. The acquisition of the Spanish international, whom Marcelino García Toral already considers lost, is closer than that of the American, although the red-and-white club has already taken the first step to negotiate with the green-and-white entity for the Brazilian-born midfielder.

While Álex Baena could play in the Club World Cup with Atlético, where the team will debut on June 15 against PSG, Johnny Cardoso's arrival, if it materialises, would not be expected before July. Tottenham holds a preferential option for the signing of the American pivot for 25 million euros, since Betis signed Giovani Lo Celso, but Johnny Cardoso's desire is to wear Atlético's jersey and play in the Champions League.

Given that Atlético might have to pay at least 50 million to secure Baena's services, their intention is not to spend more than 20 million on Cardoso, although the American has a release clause at Betis of 80 million. In one of the two operations, the red-and-white youth player Rodrigo Riquelme, who is of interest to both Villarreal and the Conference League runner-up, could also be included.

Álex Baena, champion of the European Championship and the Olympic Games with Spain last year, will become a new Atlético player to theoretically play on the left wing of the midfield, where the Roqueta de Mar midfielder has excelled under Marcelino at Villarreal. Diego Pablo Simeone will try to capitalise on his talent and ability to assist the forwards, although Álex Baena also has a knack for scoring.

With Johnny Cardoso, Atlético's coach seeks a new member for a double pivot that this season has mainly consisted of Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo De Paul, with good performances from both the youth player and the Argentine. Since joining Betis in the winter market of 2023 from Internacional de Porto Alegre, Johnny Cardoso has continued to progress under Manuel Pellegrini's guidance.