Tottenham Hotspur will find it 'difficult' to complete a deal for Sporting Lisbon right-wing back Pedro Porro in January, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Tottenham chasing Porro

At the start of the transfer window, Tottenham were said to be close to completing a deal for the 23-year-old which would have amounted to £35m, but negotiations were not as quick as initially anticipated.

Spurs cooled their interest in the Spaniard upon learning that Sporting were demanding his £40m release clause to be paid, and the move has seemingly now been thrown into jeopardy.

The Latest: Could be difficult

According to Romano, Porro is Tottenham's main transfer priority this month, but Sporting are reluctant to sell him if the clause in his contract is not met.

The Italian tweeted: "Understand Pedro Porro is top of the list for Tottenham as new right back. Spurs will try to sign Porro as player would be keen on the move.

"It’s difficult deal in January as Sporting have been very clear: €45m release clause or no way. Stance could change in June."

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The Verdict: Keep pushing

Considering that Tottenham were believed to be close to securing a deal amounting to £35m, paying an extra £5m for a player with Porro's ability doesn't seem excessive, and Daniel Levy should pay the full amount before another club does.

The defender has been lauded as a 'special talent' by journalist Zach Lowy, and he would be a perfect signing for Antonio Conte in an attacking sense. He has averaged 4.61 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes over the past year, placing in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers in Europe's major leagues.

Pundit Noel Whelan has recently called the right wing-back position Tottenham's 'most fragile area', owing largely to the disappointing form from Emerson Royal, who was labelled 'dreadful' by journalist Josh Bunting earlier this season, so it is clear that an upgrade is needed at the earliest availability.