---
title: "Tottenham: Pedro Porro is not Antonio Conte’s priority"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-pedro-porro-transfer-rumours-2/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2023-01-03T22:10:55Z"
modified: "2023-01-03T22:10:55Z"
---

# Tottenham: Pedro Porro is not Antonio Conte’s priority

**[Tottenham Hotspur](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/) target Pedro Porro is not likely to be [Antonio Conte](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/antonio-conte/)‘s priority in January, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.**

### The Lowdown: Tottenham’s Porro interest

It was [reported](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/tottenham-pedro-porro-transfer-rumours/) earlier this week that Tottenham were closing in on the signing of Porro, who currently plays for Portuguese club Sporting CP, with a £35m deal expected to be completed.

Conte was believed to be targeting a right-wing back due to the [possibility](https://www.90min.com/posts/tottenham-ask-inter-availability-key-player) of either Emerson Royal or Matt Doherty being sold in this transfer window, but a new update details that the position is not of the utmost importance to the Italian.

### The Latest: Jones ‘surprised’

In an interview with [GIVEMESPORT](https://www.givemesport.com/88100196-tottenham-hotspur-position-signing-hotspur-way-transfer-news-antonio-conte), Jones said the Porro news is surprising, claiming that the manager is more eager to strengthen two other positions:

*“There are a few factors that make me question whether he would be a priority. Everything I hear, it’s a forward creative player or a centre-back rather than a right-sided wing-back.*

“*I’m not going to rule it out, but I’d be surprised if that was accelerated ahead of everything else.”*

[![Tottenham latest updates!](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cropped-tottenham-fans.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-updates-2/)

### The Verdict: Worth signing?

It is clear to see why Conte would prioritise the signing of a centre-back, considering his side’s terrible defensive record so far this season, conceding an average of [1.47](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/premier-league/2022-23/) goals per game in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), more than the likes of West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

Spurs already have an array of options in attack, with fantastic players like Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski at their disposal, although the latter is currently an injury concern due to an [ankle](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1715778/Tottenham-Spurs-Aston-Villa-team-news-injury-Dejan-Kulusevski-Antonio-Conte) problem, while Richarlison is also out with a [hamstring](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63963883) issue.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419177″\]

Emerson Royal has looked unimpressive, while Porro has been lauded as a ‘[baller](https://twitter.com/jackjcollins/status/1354202530964762625?s=20&t=XxZoeO_bkwRGWKMJAJZlzQ)‘ by journalist Jack Collins, and has averaged [4.61](https://fbref.com/en/players/27d0a506/Pedro-Porro) shot-creating actions per 90 over the last year, an increase on the [1.85](https://fbref.com/en/players/df8b52a5/Emerson) figure from Royal.

Being able to improve all three areas is no doubt the ideal situation for Conte, but injuries to attackers and the poor performances from centre-backs means that strengthening the right-wing back area should be of less concern.