Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur 'closing in on Pedro Porro signing'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 02 January 2023

Tottenham 'closing in on Pedro Porro signing'

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Pedro Porro and could finalize a £35m transfer this week.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly edging closer to the signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Pedro Porro.

The 23-year-old waved goodbye to Manchester City in the summer to sign for the Primeira Liga giants on a permanent basis, having enjoyed a productive two-year loan spell.

Porro became Portuguese champion with Sporting in the 2020-21 season, as well as winning the Taca da Liga in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns.

The Spain international has a total of 11 goals and 19 assists to boast from 93 appearances in a Sporting shirt, including two strikes and 10 assists from 21 games in all outings this term.

Porro played the full 90 in both of his side's Champions League group games against Tottenham this season, and his contract with Ruben Amorim's side does not expire until the summer of 2025.

Sporting Lisbon's Pedro Porro in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Ivan Perisic on October 26, 2022 © Reuters

Despite signing Djed Spence from Middlesbrough in the summer transfer window, Tottenham are keen to strengthen their options at right-wing back in January and have apparently identified Porro as a leading target.

According to the Daily Star, Tottenham are now edging closer to the signing of Porro, who could make a £35m move to North London before the end of the week.

The report adds that Antonio Conte has had his eye on a deal for the ex-Girona youngster for a while, and the Spurs boss is being backed with funds by Daniel Levy in the transfer market.

Porro joined Man City in the summer of 2019, but the defender failed to make a single appearance for the Citizens, having also been loaned out to Real Valladolid in the 2019-20 season.

The one-cap Spain international would arrive at Tottenham to compete with Spence, Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal for starts, but the latter two are facing uncertain futures.

Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal pictured on February 5, 2022 © Reuters

Emerson has lost his place in the team following a number of sub-par displays since joining from Barcelona in 2021, and he could be allowed to leave during the current window.

Doherty has been preferred by Conte in recent weeks, although the Ireland international has largely struggled to impress as well and is out of contract in 18 months' time.

Spence, meanwhile, has been restricted to just five appearances in a Tottenham shirt, including a mere three minutes from four substitute outings in the Premier League.

Tottenham lost ground in the race for the top four after losing 2-0 to Aston Villa on Sunday, succumbing to second-half goals from Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz.

The Lilywhites, who now lie fifth in the table, are next in action away to London rivals Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.