Tottenham Hotspur are making progress in a deal for Sporting CP right wing-back Pedro Porro but there is a frustration at the Spurs end over the speed of the negotiations, football.london understands.
Progress is being made gradually between the two clubs and there is a growing confidence that a €45million (£39.5million) deal for the 23-year-old Spaniard will go through before Tuesday's transfer deadline. However, there are some frustrations within Spurs that Sporting are dragging their heels in finalising the deal with some suggestions that it could be to ensure Porro plays in Saturday night's Taca da Liga final against Porto as they line up a replacement signing.
That comes despite there being little to suggest from the north London club's end that they would be against him playing in that showpiece game before any eventually agreed deal is ratified.
READ MORE: Fabio Paratici's unusual position, clever Harry Kane move, Pedro Porro and an important meeting
Porro is keen on the move to Tottenham to link up with Antonio Conte and there is a growing confidence in both Portugal and London that the deal will be completed eventually. Spurs have indicated a willingness to pay the required fee for the wing-back, even if that meant at this stage unlocking the £39.5million release clause, although Portuguese release clauses are not believed to be as cut and dried as they are in some other leagues and many have notice periods or various other caveats.
Spurs are hoping for more progress on Thursday during discussions over the structure of the deal in order to get Porro over to Hotspur Way, to following in the footsteps of attacker Arnaut Danjuma, who joined from Villarreal on Wednesday on loan with an option to buy the Netherlands international.
As football.london reported in December, Spurs had prioritised a right wing-back and a new attacker in the January transfer window and Danjuma and Porro are set to fulfil that.
However, Tottenham are not necessarily done there and it is understood they will continue to look for any late opportunities that arise to bring forward any of their summer plans for new centre-backs, a central midfielder as well as another front man.
The latter is because Lucas Moura remains out injured with his long-term tendon inflammation, with no end yet in sight for that problem as his contract reaches its last six months, and Danjuma's arrival could see Bryan Gil seek to be loaned out for game time and if Conte has neither the Brazilian nor Spaniard available, then Spurs could be forced to bring in yet another attacker if they are to let Gil head off.
With Porro's anticipated arrival, Djed Spence will be allowed to leave the club on loan, with interest from Leicester and Brentford, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Lyon and Bayer Leverkusen, although Spurs are currently rejecting any permanent deals or offers for loans with an option or obligation to buy with Brentford understand to have offered the latter.
Who would you sign for Spurs? Take part in the Swoop or Swerve game below to have your say!
READ NEXT:
Fabio Paratici's unusual position, clever Harry Kane move, Pedro Porro and an important meeting
- Daniel Levy, Antonio Conte and a defining fortnight for Tottenham Hotspur
- Every word Antonio Conte said on Harry Kane playing with fever and his meeting with his players
- Tottenham player ratings vs Fulham: Harry Kane hits record goal but Son and Perisic quiet
- Every word Conte said on Spurs' Arsenal defeat, Hugo Lloris error and supporter kicking Ramsdale
