Tottenham move for perfect Conte signing leaves Barcelona fretting, and £40m arrival will accelerate Spurs star’s exit

Tottenham have ‘formalised’ their interest in a signing that looks tailor-made for Antonio Conte, and doing so has sparked a quick response from Spanish giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, according to a report.

Spurs have been heavily linked with a brand new addition at right wing-back of late. Conte can currently call upon Matt Doherty, Emerson Royal and Djed Spence in the position, though none have taken the bull by the horns.

Doherty and Emerson have split time this season, with Spence made to bide his time from afar. Clearly, the Tottenham boss isn’t convinced by any of the trio given not one have established themselves as undisputed first choice.

A new arrival would remedy the issue and the Daily Star reported last week Tottenham are in for Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Porro.

The 23-year-old has been in Lisbon for over two years, though only joined outright last summer.

Sporting triggered a £7m option to sign Porro following a two-year loan from Man City. Porro developed into an ultra-threatening wing-back during that initial stint.

Indeed, the Spain international was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Season two years running. In the current campaign he’s notched two goals and 10 assists from just 21 matches across all competitions.

Porro’s deal in Lisbon contains a release clause worth €45m (approx. £40m). Portuguese outlet Record reported Spurs are attempting to negotiate a slightly lower fee for Porro, though Sporting are insistent on the clause being triggered.

In any case, a fresh update from Record (via Sport Witness), claims Tottenham have ‘formalised’ their interest.

Tottenham move panics Barcelona, Atletico

Spurs are ‘advancing’ their cause to sign the Spain international and are deemed ‘keen’ to wrap up a deal this month.

An official bid is understood to be under consideration right now and it’s even suggested Tottenham may relent and activate the clause to force a move through.

However, their movements have alerted LaLiga powerhouses Barcelona and Atletico Madrid whose own plans for Porro are now under threat.

It’s stated both clubs intended to bid for Porro at season’s end. If Spurs steal a march and move in January, both clubs will be left empty-handed.

As such, Barca and Atletico have made ‘informal contact’ with Sporting and asked to be kept abreast of any developments between Porro and Tottenham. The inference there is if Spurs table a bid below the release clause, one of the Spanish clubs might respond with a bid of their own.

In any case, it’s claimed the likeliest outcome still remains Sporting retaining Porro for the remainder of the season before cashing in over the summer.

Spurs can disrupt that plan by triggering the release clause and taking the decision out of Sporting’s hands. If they do, Spence could be the fall guy with a second outlet doubling down on claims he could be loaned out.

Spence earns Premier League move

ESPN recently reported it’s looking ‘increasingly likely’ Spence will be offloaded via the loan route before the month is out.

They added four unnamed Premier League sides are mulling a move, as well as Bayer Leverkusen.

Football London echo those sentiments on Sunday, reaffirming Leverkusen’s interest as well as three – not four – interested parties from the Premier League. Unfortunately, Football London don’t appear to know their identities yet either.

However, it is stated Spence is slowly but surely winning over Tottenham’s coaching staff and as a result, he’ll not be sent down a division if a loan is approved.

If Porro does arrive in north London this month, Spence may well get his long-awaited chance to shine in the Premier League with a different club over the next five months.

FA CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW: Tottenham drawn first; Man Utd to welcome legend back to Old Trafford; another all-Prem tie for winner of Wolves v Liverpool replay