Alasdair Gold provides update on Pedro Porro release clause amid Spurs rumours

Alasdair Gold has explained that in order to activate Pedro Porro’s release clause of around £40m, Tottenham would have to pay the entire fee upfront in one lump sum. 

AS claimed over the weekend that Tottenham do not want to pay Porro’s full release clause and are trying to negotiate the price down by pointing out to Sporting Lisbon that the fee is not in line with what other right wing-backs have gone for in the current transfer market.

Pedro Porro
(Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

However, multiple other sources (including The Guardian and Fabrizio Romano) have reported over the last two days that Sporting have no intention of letting the Spaniard leave during this month unless his release clause is paid.

Gold has now explained that the reason the Lilywhites are trying to find a compromise is that meeting the release clause would mean paying the entire fee upfront rather than in several instalments, which is how most transfers are structured.

The journalist also suggested that the North London club might be looking to offload one or two right-backs before signing the 23-year-old.

When asked about Tottenham’s pursuit of Porro, Gold said in a Q&A on Football.London: “The Porro situation is an interesting one. Spurs do really like him, even if he might not be the perfect Conte fit in terms of his physique. 

“With Sporting saying anyone who wants him must pay the £39.5m (45m euros) release fee, Tottenham would need to find a compromise.

“Paying the release fee most of the time means paying the full amount in one lump sum. That’s just not how Spurs, or most clubs, operate as most clubs pay transfer fees in instalments.

“There’s also been a suggestion that, as well as a buy-back clause, if Porro is sold within a certain amount of time then Manchester City would get some money from Sporting for him, which, if true, is another reason for the Portuguese club requiring the full amount up front.

“Spurs would also need to get one or two right wing-backs out of the squad if they were to advance a move for the Spaniard.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Some Spurs fans on social media are understandably getting restless and demanding that the club simply pay Porro’s release clause. However, we cannot make sweeping judgements on the club’s negotiating tactic without understanding the specifics of this deal. 

It is unclear how paying £40m upfront rather than in instalments would affect our transfer budget over the coming transfer windows. Additionally, there is also the issue of clubs being able to lowball us for Emerson if we sign another right-wing-back before moving the Brazilian on.

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know