Just when it seemed that Tottenham Hotspur would have things all sewn up in their negotiations with Sporting CP for wing-back Pedro Porro, a hurdle or two arose in the latest round of discussions between the two sides.
As per Portuguese outlet Record via Sport Witness, a twist had emerged that the mainstream media had hitherto been oblivious to. Namely, the report states that Porro’s now infamous release clause of €45million is no longer active, and is invalid for the final fortnight of the winter window.
This means that Sporting are no longer legally obliged to sell him for that amount, and have been trying to get Spurs to pay as much as possible for him by renegotiating the amount the North Londoners would be entitled to from any sale of former player Marcus Edwards. However, it is unclear whether Spurs will end up paying more than the clause, and it seems that both sides still expect to agree a fee.
Another issue both sides need to resolve is how Spurs are to pay whatever fee they agree on – nothing has changed here, Sporting want the full lot up front, Spurs prefer to pay it in installments.
The report also states that one big bug-bear for Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim was having Porro available for the Taca de Liga final against Porto later today, something that has obviously held up negotiations.
Given that Sporting have yet to replace Porro, it would be negligence of the highest order for them to send him to N17 ahead of their biggest match of the season without him, or an adequate replacement.
More will emerge on this one after the Portuguese league cup final, but in the meantime, have your say on the potential Porro transfer or any other Spurs-related matters on the Vital Spurs fan forum here.
It is little wonder that there is so much speculation surrounding the issue of whether or not Conte will stay at Tottenham given the indecisive and uncertain nature of THFC’s transfer strategies? With the Porro deal being reported in some quarters as being on the verge of collapse (might that I wonder have anything to do with the notoriously well documented inept dealings of one Daniel Levy?) and seeming as though Tottenham appear to have no clear direction or intent regarding such heavily linked targets as Mckennie (who now appears to be joining rival PL club Leeds in any case)as well as Zaniolo who apprently has just flatly turned down a deal from Bournemouth it would hardly come as a massive surprise if Conte decided to call time at the end of his 18 month contract in the summer. I simply do not understand this clubs vision (if they actually indeed have anything resembling one) in regards to recreating actual football success in winning titles and trophies for the club and its long suffering support base.