Tottenham have finally made a breakthrough in their talks with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Pedro Porro on an initial loan deal.
The move is now close to being finalized after intensive talks and there is growing optimism the transfer will be completed before the deadline. The deal will be an initial loan for £5m with an obligation to buy for a fee rising to £39m.
Porro flew to London in the early hours of Tuesday morning and a deal could be completed immediately, with the wing-back scheduled to undergo his Tottenham medical on Deadline date.
Spurs are believed to be making structured payments for the £39m fee – the defender’s release clause – with the move becoming permanent from July 1.
Sporting’s Pedro Porro against Tottenham in the Champions League this season
Tottenham also give up 15 percent of their sell-on clause for Marcus EdwardsWho moved from Tottenham to Portuguese football in 2019.
Edwards joined Vitoria de Guimaraes that year, before moving to Sporting in January of last year.
Meanwhile, Tottenham right-back Matt Doherty Is set to join Atletico Madrid on loan.
Poro in, Doherty out
Sky Sports News’ Michael Brick reporting live from Tottenham’s training ground on Tuesday morning:
“Spurs fans woke up yesterday to read ‘deal off’. They wake up this morning to ‘deal on’!
“Tottenham were back in negotiations with Sporting yesterday. My understanding was that Sporting moved the goalkeeper late on Sunday evening when Spurs thought a deal had been agreed over the weekend.
“They organized the fee structure and Marcus Edwards – a former Tottenham player at Sporting – renegotiated a potential sell-on fee if he were to leave Sporting in the future.
“Poro flew into London at around 3am this morning so hopefully he will be a Spurs player in the next few hours.
“I’m told he’s very excited to join the football club.
“I can also confirm that Matt Doherty is joining Atletico Madrid on loan – it’s a straight loan until the end of the season I understand, no option or obligation. Doherty is heading to La Liga.”
Analysis: A major upgrade at a key position
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Antonio Conte’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system requires effective wing-backs and although Ivan Perisic has strengthened their left side, their right has been neglected. Until now.
Pedro Porro is set to arrive at Spurs after emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting young players in the position with Sporting Lisbon, scoring nine goals and providing 13 assists in 67 Primeira Liga appearances since joining from Girona in 2019.
He helped the Portuguese side win a league and cup double in his first season at the club, and that success allowed him to test himself against Champions League opposition, including Spurs this season, and Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City last term.
He has embraced the challenge, proving his ability to excel at the highest level in and out of possession, but it is his attacking threat that is key to his appeal to Conte and Spurs.
So far this season, Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty have managed just two goals and an assist between them in a combined total of 28 Premier League appearances.
The Brazilian has been first choice for most of the campaign and a deeper look at the numbers shows even more of the contrast between his output and Porro’s.
Porro created seven times more chances per 90 minutes than Emerson and his numbers for assists, crosses, shots and successful dribbles were also much higher. He represents a significant upgrade for Spurs in a critical position.
Spence close to Rennes loan, Gill joins Sevilla
Rennes They are close to agreeing a deal with Tottenham to sign the right back DJ Spence.
The deal would be a straight loan with no option to buy.
Meanwhile, Spurs winner Brian Gill Has seen his loan move to Sevilla Confirmed just before deadline date.
Tottenham’s Bryan Gil has joined Sevilla on loan
There is no option to buy, meaning the winger will return to Spurs, where his contract runs until 2026, in the summer. The 21-year-old joined Tottenham from the LaLiga club in 2021 in a £21.6m switch, with Erik Lamela also moving to Sevilla as part of the deal. However, Gil has only made 13 appearances for Spurs, and also spent time on loan at Valencia last season.
The move comes after new winger Arnaut Danjuma made his debut in Tottenham’s 3-0 win at Preston at the weekend.
Gil was disappointed by Danjuma’s arrival. He thought he had done enough to impress coaches in recent weeks, having been good in a 4-0 win at Crystal Palace earlier this month.
Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this winter? The January transfer window closes at 11:00 On Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumors in our dedicated Transfer Center Blog On ski sport Digital platforms. You can also get the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
