Bye-bye “liability”: Spurs close in on dream 1st Jan signing in £35m “special talent”

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their first signing of the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Italian journalist Marco Barzaghi of Sport Mediaset, Spurs are “close” to landing Sporting CP right-back Pedro Porro in a deal worth £35m after weeks of reports linking the north Londoners with interest.

In an accompanying article, the reporter suggests this is good news for manager Antonio Conte, who appears keen on securing the former Manchester City dynamo.

Dream for Conte

The Spaniard – capped just once by his national side so far – is a very offensive wing-back, being capable of playing as a winger, as well as in defence. Indeed, he’s provided ten assists and two goals across 21 appearances in all competitions this campaign, via Transfermarkt.

It lends Conte a likely solution to his right wing-back woes, where he has had to rely on the inconsistent Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty, neither of whom he has ever been truly convinced by.

Just a few months into his reign, reports claimed that the Italian was seeking an upgrade and whilst that was over a year ago, it seems he’s finally getting his wish.

When compared to his positional peers, Porro appears to be in a league of his own, ranking in the top 1% of all full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the opposition box, total shots, shot-creating actions, as well as non-penalty expected goals and expected assists, per FBref.

That would instantly make him a substantial upgrade on Emerson, who only last season was dubbed a “complete liability” by ex-Lilywhites midfielder Jamie O’Hara.

The Brazilian calamity is way behind the Sporting star in most attacking attributes, ranging from goal-creating actions (0.90 vs 0.70) to key passes (2.70 vs 0.50) per 90, also via FBref. He even nudges the current Spurs man for interceptions and tackles won per 90, too.

It was only a few months ago that journalist Zach Lowry described Porro as a “special talent” who was the “best right-back in Portugal”, so it’s certainly exciting to see sporting director Fabio Paratici closing in on what would be his first signing of the January transfer window.

Porro is a clear and obvious upgrade to a vital position in Conte’s system so the 23-year-old gem, who Football Insider pundit Tam McManus recently dubbed a “statement” signing, must arrive sooner rather than later as the north Londoners have plenty of fixtures coming thick and fast in the coming weeks.

Source: Football FanCast