Tottenham are reported to be continuing talks with Sporting Lisbon as they edge steadily closer to the signing of Pedro Porro.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte is looking for a couple of squad reinforcements to lift the mood around the club. Indeed, Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Arsenal was their fourth home loss in 10 Premier League games this season. It also leaves them five points adrift of fourth place and with the pressure seemingly mounting on the Italian.
Indeed, reports on Monday suggested Daniel Levy was considering four potential replacements amid growing claims Conte and Spurs may part company.
But while that seems unlikely at the midway point of the season, Spurs will be anxious to resolve Conte’s contract situation. As it stands, his arrangement at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is due to expire at the end of the year.
However, it is business as usual for the January window and the club – and director Fabio Paratici – continue to do all they can to strengthen their options.
Looking back to last January, the captures of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur gave Spurs a massive lift. Now Conte will hope for the same this time around.
His main targets remain a right-back and the addition of another midfielder.
And it seems the addition of a right-back is edging that bit closer with talks held on Monday over a deal for Porro.
The former Manchester City man has made a big name for himself since departing the Etihad and moving to the Portuguese capital.
And his performances in the Champions League – particularly in the two games against Tottenham – have seemingly convinced Conte to target his signing.
Sporting Lisbon stand firm over Pedro Porro release clause
Those hopes have been raised amid reports Paratici has been in Portugal for talks over a deal.
The Spurs chief has seen his initial offer of £31m (€35m) rejected by Sporting CP, who are standing firm by his £39.8m (€45m) exit clause.
But knowing they can trigger his signing by meeting that, the two clubs are holding talks at finding some common ground.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola suggests the two clubs remain some distance apart on striking a deal. It’s claimed a lesser deal could be sanctioned but only if Spurs include some fairly hefty bonuses and add-ons.
However, Paratici wants a straight cash deal and negotiations are continuing to try and reach an agreement.
The good news for Tottenham, though, is that reports in Portugal claim Sporting president Frederico Varandas is willing to sell the player.
Furthermore, accepting he will likely leave this month, Ruben Amorim’s side are already casting their eye over would-be replacements.
And according to O Jogo, Sporting are targeting a move for Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey as a successor.
The 22-year-old Frenchman has been earning rave reviews in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
His form has even earned him admiration from Liverpool, who are among those reportedly tracking his progress.
However, he now appears likely to be on the move to Portugal, with Sporting identifying him as Porro’s replacement.
Porro signing could see Djed Spence depart to Southampton
Once a deal for Porro is done, Spurs will reportedly allow at least one of their three right-backs to depart.
Indeed, Conte has rotated between Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty over the course of the season. And it is the Irishman who seems to have come out on top, without ever really convincing, in recent weeks.
As such, reports have linked both players with moves away from Spurs this month. Emerson Royal, for example, is being strongly linked with a return to one of his former clubs with Tottenham to take a massive financial hit.
The third man in the equation, Djed Spence, has barely featured since signing. Amid rumours he was a signing made by Levy, not Conte, Spence cost £20m over the summer from Middlesbrough.
However, he has found the going tough at Spurs, making just six appearances in all competitions.
Now, according to Sky Sports, he may be ready to depart on loan, with Southampton emerging as strong contenders.
Per the report, Nathan Jones is keen to recruit a new right-back amid Tino Livramento’s ongoing absence.
They are reportedly looking at Celtic’s Josip Juranovic and James Bree of Luton, the latter of whom Jones knows well.
But Sky Sports suggests the most likely option is a loan swoop for Spence. And it seems Tottenham are willing to let the 22-year-old depart to further his Premier League experience.
A temporary deal may also suit all parties with Saints hoping Livramento is edging closer to a return. He has been missing since April after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the 2-2 draw with Brighton.
