Conte agony after huge Tottenham transfer collapses, with Man Utd target now last-ditch plan B

An advanced Tottenham move to sign Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Porro has collapsed and the player is ‘distraught’, though the botched move could now see a Man Utd target lined up as a late alternative, per reports.

Porro, 23, looked all set to solve Antonio Conte’s nagging issue at right wing-back. The Spaniard had agreed personal terms over a five-and-a-half year deal and a ‘full verbal agreement’ between both clubs had been reached, per Fabrizio Romano.

Porro featured for Sporting in their Portuguese League Cup final on Saturday night. His side lost 2-0 to FC Porto, though there appeared to be a silver lining after the defender was reportedly told by the club’s president he would be allowed to join Spurs.

However, according to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Sporting and president Frederico Varandas have ‘reneged’ on the terms of the deal.

The move is deemed ‘off’ and now ‘looks set to miss out’ on his switch to north London. On the player’s end, Porro is described as being ‘distraught’.

Ornstein acknowledged talks over the move had reached an advanced stage. Indeed, Sporting had been holding out for Porro’s €45m release clause to be triggered, though later verbally agreed to a deal that would see the fee paid in instalments.

However, the Portuguese side have dashed Conte and Tottenham’s hopes at the eleventh hour and as it stands, Porro will not be moving to England this month.

Fabrizio Romano subsequently added his take to the story, adding Sporting ‘changed details/conditions of the deal right before signing documents.’

Romano stressed talks would ‘continue today to resolve the issues’, though that’s in direct contrast to Ornstein’s claims the deal is now ‘off’.

If the latter is correct, a second move that could also be affected involves ex-Arsenal right-back, Hector Bellerin.

The 27-year-old Barcelona star had been lined up by Sporting as Porro’s successor. Given Porro is seemingly no longer on the move, it stands to reason Bellerin won’t be either.

Tottenham could turn to Man Utd target

The news will come as a bitter blow to Conte, especially given the timing with just over 36 hours remaining in the window.

talkSPORT claimed Spurs will ‘look to pursue alternative targets’ and one player who had been linked with the club is available for transfer this month.

Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries was a hot topic earlier in the window and 90min previously reported Spurs had enquired about a move.

The 26-year-old is well known to Conte through his time at the San Siro. Dumfries had also been earmarked as a potential future signing at Man Utd to upgrade upon Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Red Devils cannot act in that regard this month due to their restricted transfer budget.

HITC recently reported Dumfries’ agent, Rafaela Pimenta, had arrived in England late last week to sound out a move. They claimed Newcastle, Chelsea and Man Utd had all been spoken to, with Spurs seemingly sidetracked with Porro.

But with Porro now off the table, Tottenham could push for to sign Dutch international Dumfries who is valued at a very similar price to Porro.

Gazzetta dello Sport noted Inter value Dumfries at £44m if selling this month, or a slightly discounted £35m if moving in the summer.

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