Tottenham priced out of right-back pursuit, giving Antonio Conte outcast fresh opportunity

Tottenham Hotspur have been chasing Sporting CP right-back Pedro Porro, but the deal may now be too expensive, according to a report. 

Spurs had originally been eyeing a January transfer for Porro, but with the Portuguese club’s recent valuation that now seems unlikely.

Antonio Conte is keen to sign a new full-back, which raises questions over whether he trusts his current backup option Djed Spence.

Spurs have enjoyed a decent start to the season and currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League, but, a sticking point for Conte has been the right-back position, where both Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty have failed to find consistent form.

As mentioned, Conte has a third option in Spence, but the former Nottingham Forest man has played just 26 minutes for Spurs this season.

With this in mind, Tottenham made Sporting’s Porro a top target for the January window, as a player who could slot straight into the starting 11.

Pacey and versatile, in 10 league appearances this season Porro has already contributed four assists and is regarded as one of the most creative full-backs in Europe at the moment.

However, according to The Athletic, the Spaniard is going to be too expensive for Spurs to afford this winter.

The 23-year-old has a £39m release clause in his contract and Sporting are not willing to settle for less in January.

Conte is reportedly not willing to pay that much for a player with no Premier League experience, so a deal in the near future is now looking unlikely.

Conte may be forced to give Djed Spence a chance

Spurs spent a hefty £20m on Spence at the start of the season, but surprisingly, Conte doesn’t seem to see him as a potential fix to their issues in defence.

Last season, while on loan at Forest, Spence was key to their push for promotion after being solid at the back and also contributing two goals and five assists.

The reds then attempted to sign the Englishman on a permanent deal from his parent club Middlesbrough but were ultimately outpriced by Spurs.

While he has been struggling for minutes, the 22-year-old claimed a couple of months ago that he is still learning plenty from his Italian manager.

When asked by talkSPORT if he’s developed with Spurs, Spence said: “Definitely my tactical side. I am learning a lot from training and learning a lot from the guys, so I am learning a lot at the moment.

“I guess it is just something new that me, myself, I have got to learn but I am working hard to improve, working hard to get in the team and hopefully I can get some run of games soon.

“I have just got to be patient and when my time comes, I’ve just got to take it.”

Perhaps, now the deal for Porro is off the cards, Spence will be given some consistent minutes and the opportunity to shine in the Premier League.

READ MORE: Tottenham flop opens up on disastrous loan spell with Conte forced into tough decision