Barcelona seek Tottenham compromise to revive Pedro Porro move

Barcelona remain interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Pedro Porro, but the proposed transfer is unlikely to progress unless the Premier League club substantially lowers its asking price.

The Spanish right-back is valued at about 70 million euros by Tottenham, a figure Barcelona consider well beyond the level they are prepared to pay in the transfer market.

The Catalan club’s sporting department and manager Hansi Flick are both admirers of Porro, who is understood to be open to returning to La Liga. People close to the player believe his time at Tottenham could be approaching its conclusion, while Flick views him as a suitable addition to his plans.

Barcelona have already contacted Porro’s representatives to establish his position and assess the possibility of a move. Initial discussions took place last summer, but the deal failed to develop because Barcelona could not raise the necessary funds.

The club had considered linking the transfer to the sale of one of its defenders for a substantial fee. Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde were among the players whose departures were examined, but neither left Barcelona and negotiations for Porro subsequently stalled.

The financial problem has not changed. Barcelona do not intend to meet Tottenham’s current valuation and have made it clear to the player’s camp that he would need to help create more favourable conditions for a transfer.

That could involve Porro attempting to persuade Tottenham to accept a fee closer to Barcelona’s assessment of his market value. The London club, however, are known for holding on to key players and making their departures difficult, leaving the transfer dependent on a change in their financial demands.

A move in the next January transfer window therefore appears highly unlikely unless Barcelona complete a major sale in defence. Without that income, the club are not expected to have the resources required to meet Tottenham’s valuation.

Barcelona’s immediate priority is to sign a left-footed defender at a lower cost to address their needs in that position. Despite that preference, Porro has not been removed from the club’s plans because he continues to have the support of both Flick and the sporting department.

The Spanish international’s prospects of joining Barcelona will ultimately depend on whether he can help convince Tottenham to reduce their demands. The Catalan club will not currently agree to the 70 million euros sought by their English counterparts.

Barcelona are also keeping an alternative option in mind, with Sporting Lisbon defender Ivan Fresneda representing a cheaper and more financially straightforward route. The final decision is expected to depend on how the transfer market develops and whether Barcelona can secure the funding needed for their preferred targets.