Pedro Porro’s Real Madrid and Barcelona hopes face very different obstacles

Despite being one of the most prominent players in the Spain squad that became world champions, Pedro Porro’s ambition to return to La Liga appears no closer to being fulfilled, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona facing separate barriers to signing the Tottenham Hotspur right-back.

Spanish journalists Javier Herraez and Santi Ovalle discussed the interest from the country’s two biggest clubs in the Deportivo SER programme on Cadena SER, after Porro again hinted that he would like to return to Spain in the future.

Real Madrid have too many options

Real Madrid are believed to value Porro, but the right-back is not currently a priority because of the number of players available in his position.

“Pedro Porro would be ideal for Real Madrid,” Herraez said. “The player knows there is interest, but there are currently two players in his position, and Federico Valverde will play at right-back in all the important matches.”

The competition is not limited to Carvajal. Real Madrid are also strongly considering other possibilities, including Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Herraez suggested that Alexander-Arnold’s departure could create an opportunity for Porro to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“They say he is unhappy here, but when Real Madrid were playing in Liverpool, there was a mural against him,” he said. “Things have become complicated for him, but for Real Madrid, it would not be a bad deal if he looked for another place.”

He added: “Porro is not a priority for Real Madrid at the moment, but he is among their interests. Who knows whether they will return in the summer, because Pedro Porro wants it very much.”

Barcelona’s financial restrictions

At Barcelona, the obstacle is not a crowded position but the club’s finances.

Ovalle said president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco “like him very much, but his price was too high in the summer”.

He also believes Barcelona’s financial difficulties will make a move unlikely in the near future.

“Barcelona will once again have difficulties with the financial fair-play rules, given the many problems they will face when returning to Montjuic,” Ovalle said. “I do not think Barcelona are in a position to invest heavily in a right-back this summer.”

Porro would nevertheless have strong support inside the Barcelona dressing room. Ovalle identified Lamine Yamal as one of his biggest backers, saying the pair developed an excellent relationship during the World Cup.

“Lamine Yamal would be the first interested player, because his relationship with Porro was excellent during the World Cup,” he said. “The dressing room would push for Pedro Porro if possible. He is a Spain international, and anything that brings them together at Barcelona would be attractive.”

Barcelona’s difficulties have encouraged the club to explore internal solutions. In recent weeks, they have started relying on academy prospect Xavi Espart, while manager Hansi Flick has warned about Alejandro Balde’s declining level.

The situation underlines Barcelona’s urgent need to strengthen at full-back, although any move remains constrained by the club’s financial fair-play limits.