Tottenham risk losing their best player as De Zerbi’s project falters

Tottenham Hotspur have hit a new crisis as their best player, right‑back Pedro Porro, has lost faith in Roberto De Zerbi’s project, prompting the club to confront rumours that the Spaniard could be lured to Real Madrid or Barcelona for a world‑record fee.

When 1,000 fans were asked to name Tottenham’s current best player, a sizable share pointed to £100m newcomer Sandro Tonali, while others favoured centre‑back Micky van de Ven. Yet the consensus among those who watched the summer fixtures places the accolade firmly on Pedro Porro.

World Cup hero

Porro’s reputation was cemented during the recent World Cup, where he started for Spain at right‑back, helped the side lift the trophy and earned a place in the tournament’s best XI.

His creative thrust from deep will be pivotal if Tottenham hope to surge up the table and secure European qualification, although some observers suggest this could be his final season in north London.

Transfer value and club stance

Despite signing a new and improved deal in June, the 27‑year‑old has already expressed doubts about achieving honours at the Lilywhites. Football Insider quoted sources saying he is keen to play at the highest level, a goal they feel is no longer attainable with Spurs, and that he quickly lost faith after penning the new contract.

TEAMtalk reported on 15 October that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are weighing bids for Porro, and Football Insider’s reporter Pete O’Rourke added that the defender would ‘jump’ at the chance to join either side.

Spurs, however, claim to be relaxed about the mounting Spanish interest and insist they have no intention of selling in January, hoping an upturn in results will persuade Porro to abandon his continental ambitions.

Should the player persist, Tottenham are prepared to slap a ‘big price tag’ on him, with TEAMtalk valuing Porro at £75m – a sum that would set a world‑record for a right‑back, eclipsing the previous high of £57m paid for Achraf Hakimi’s 2021 move to Paris Saint‑Germain.