Tottenham ready to pay £39m release clause of Sporting wing-back as Emerson days look numbered
Tottenham are reportedly prepared to pay the release clause of a Sporting Lisbon right-back as Emerson Royal’s time at the club appears to be drawing to a close.
Spurs are actively looking to upgrade at right wing-back in the new year, with Antonio Conte running out of patience with Emerson and not fully trusting Matt Doherty and summer signing Djed Spence.
Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries is known to be Conte’s first-choice for the position. However, Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha claims the north London club are willing to pay the £39million release clause for Pedro Porro instead.
Porro is a former Manchester City who failed to make a single appearance for Pep Guardiola’s men.
He moved to The Etihad for £11m from Girona but ended up having loan stints at Real Valladolid and then Sporting before completing a permanent to Portugal last summer.
The 23-year-old has played 18 games in all competitions for Sporting this season. He has notched an impressive eight assists in that time.
He also faced Tottenham in the Champions League group-stage game. Sporting won 2-0 at home and registered an impressive 1-1 draw in north London.
Porro appears to fit into Conte’s system well, given he already plays in a 3-4-3 in Portugal.
The full-back has also a nice blend of defensive stability and attacking intent. That is something that cannot be truly said about Conte’s current options. However, Spence has rarely been given a chance to show what he can do.
Hefty exit clause not a problem for Tottenham
The report from Correio da Manha adds that the release clause will not be an issue for Tottenham.
That news will come as music to Conte’s ears as he looks to add at least three players in January.
The Italian also wants another centre-back and a creative midfielder in the new year.
In terms of the latter, Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister is the latest to be linked with a move.
Leicester’s James Maddison, Atalanta ace Ruslan Malinovskyi and Ajax star Mohammed Kudus are also known suitors for Tottenham.
In terms of bringing in another central defender, Alessandro Bastoni and Josko Gvardiol remain Conte’s first-choice options. However, a proposed move for Stefan de Vrij appears less and less likely, with Aston Villa and Leicester now keen on the Inter man.
Tottenham are not back in action until Boxing Day, when they head to London rivals Brentford.
