09 January 2023 , 19:46
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Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Pedro Porro and Marcus Edwards from Sporting Lisbon in the January transfer window.
It's believed Spurs boss Antonio Conte is keen to sign a new wing-back this month to replace Emerson Royal, Matt Doherty and Djed Spence. All three right-footed players have failed to impress during their respective spells at the Premier League club.
Yet Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is determined to keep hold of both Porro and Edwards. He has told reporters they will only be allowed to leave the Portuguese capital if their respective release clauses are met. That would cost Tottenham nearly £92million.
As reported by the Evening Standard, Conte is after both players - but signing Porro is a priority. The Spain international, 21, has done well for Sporting since joining the Portuguese giants - initially on loan - from Manchester City in the summer of 2020.
Porro helped Sporting win the Primeira Liga title two seasons ago and has also lifted the Taca da Liga - also known as the Portuguese League Cup - twice. His solid form saw him make his senior debut for Spain in March 2021, although he hasn't won another cap since.
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Edwards, meanwhile, could be in line for a sensational return to Tottenham. The winger, who is yet to make his senior debut for England, came through the London club's academy but made just one appearance before being released in the summer of 2019.
Tottenham are reportedly interested in Marcus Edwards and Pedro Porro (Getty Images)Who do you think Tottenham should sign in January? Let us know in the comments below!
Edwards, 24, has rebuilt his career in Portugal. He completed a two-and-a-half-year spell at Vitoria de Guimaraes before moving to Sporting 12 months ago. He's continued to impress since the transfer and even scored against Spurs in the Champions League.
Despite Tottenham's interest, Sporting do not want to lose either player. Amorim recently told reporters: "We are not as attractive a league as others and we cannot pay the same wages. This is a problem, even in relation to Portuguese clubs we have this difficulty.
"As was said, they only leave for the clause. We are ready. We know the amount of attacks that go through Porro and Edwards, nobody is blind here. But the market is what it is."
Porro's release clause is believed to be around £39.7m, while Edwards' is said to be around £52m. Conte's reported desire to sign a new wing-back may disappoint Tottenham's recruitment team, as three have arrived at the club in recent years.
The first was Doherty, who was signed from Premier League rivals Wolves in August 2020. The 30-year-old has struggled to nail down the position, playing just 43 Premier League games. Emerson, 23, then arrived from Barcelona in August 2021. Although the Brazil international has played regularly for Spurs, his performances have been criticised.
The final player to arrive was Spence, who was snapped by Tottenham last summer after helping Nottingham Forest win promotion to the Premier League. Yet the 22-year-old has played just six games in all competitions this season. In total, Tottenham spent around £60m to sign Doherty (£15m), Emerson (£25m) and Spence (£20m).