Tottenham have received encouraging news in their effort to keep hold of Pedro Porro, with Barcelona now reportedly looking at another Premier League right-back.
Barcelona’s interest in the Spurs defender is nothing new. Over the summer, the Catalan club were said to have made contact about a deal, following Porro’s standout displays for Spain at the World Cup. The 27-year-old built a strong understanding with Lamine Yamal on the right flank as La Roja went on to claim their second world title, and that partnership may be driving Barca’s admiration.
Concerningly for Spurs, the interest appears to have survived into the build-up to the January window. A recent report from Fichajes named the former Sporting Lisbon man as the ideal profile for Barcelona’s right-back search. The Spanish giants reportedly accept that a deal would be tricky, given that Porro put pencil to paper on a fresh contract in the summer, but they hope he could look to leave if Roberto De Zerbi’s side keep struggling.
Now, though, Spanish journalist Juan Jesus has offered Tottenham some relief. He confirmed that Porro is on Barca’s radar but claimed Hansi Flick’s side are also looking at Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong, and that a move for him could become available in January.
According to Jesus, Flick asked for Frimpong during his first year at the club, alongside Dani Olmo, and sporting director Deco has kept tabs on him ever since. The 25-year-old is described as having a miserable time at Liverpool, struggling to settle in England and falling out of Iraola’s plans, with Ronald Araújo preferred in that role. Frimpong is said to be very keen on a switch to Barcelona, and Liverpool are reportedly ready to let him leave for around €35m.
Spurs have certainly missed Porro’s quality and know-how this season. He has started just three league games, and his latest outing against Aston Villa lasted only 19 minutes before an injury forced him off.
The positive is that the Spain international should be out for only three matches, with the international break coming at a convenient time for him.
De Zerbi has repeatedly described Porro as one of the finest right-backs in the world, and the Italian will be eager to get him back, since he is also one of the most vocal leaders in the dressing room.
