Pedro Porro has made up his mind to leave Tottenham, and the World Cup winner already has a clear idea of where he wants to go next.
According to Sport, staying in north London is now “out of the question” for the 27-year-old right-back, who is “determined to leave” Roberto De Zerbi’s side. The Catalan paper’s Saturday edition also says Porro sees Barcelona as a better move than any of his other suitors.
It is a big shift in tone from earlier in the week, and it comes only five months after he committed his long-term future to Spurs.
Why does Porro want to leave Tottenham?
Porro signed a new contract in June that runs until 2031, with the option of a further year. A month later he was lifting the World Cup with Spain.
Since then, things have not gone smoothly in N17. Fitness and injury problems have limited him to just four Premier League starts this season, and he has spent much of the autumn talking to the Spanish press about what comes next.
On 30 October he spoke about his big dream of going back to La Liga. On Tuesday he said he was surprised that Barcelona president Joan Laporta had named him as one of his favourite players, and the next day he gave another interview repeating that he would like to play in Spain again.
That run of interviews has only fed the exit talk. When he spoke to Sport from Spain’s camp during this international break, he still talked about respecting his contract, but the latest report paints a very different picture of his thinking.
Barcelona or Real Madrid?
Both Spanish giants have been linked with the right-back, and Barcelona appear to be his preference. Porro believes Hansi Flick’s playing style would suit him, and that the La Liga champions have “more future potential” than the other clubs interested in him.
There is a catch. Sport’s headline claims Porro “only wants Barca”, but the report itself does not fully back that up. It says he has hinted at a preference for the Camp Nou, while the subject has not come up among Barcelona’s players during this international break.
What will Porro cost?
This is where it gets difficult. Tottenham want at least €70m for a player under contract until 2031, while Barcelona believe he is worth no more than €50m. Barca are likely to make their move next summer.
That gap is not new. As we reported when Porro responded to Laporta’s praise, Barca’s spending also depends on raising money through sales first.
Will Tottenham sell Pedro Porro to Barcelona?
Spurs are in a strong position, and they should use it. A contract to 2031 means there is no pressure to sell, and a World Cup winner in his prime should not go for a fee Barcelona have set themselves.
But a player who keeps telling the Spanish press where he would rather be is hard to keep happy for long. If Porro really is set on going, the smart move is to plan for it now, especially with Juventus circling Destiny Udogie on the other flank.
Our view: hold firm at €70m. If Barcelona want him badly enough next summer, they will find the money. If not, Porro still has a big season to play for in north London, and De Zerbi needs him fit and focused.
