Manchester City defensive target edges closer to contract renewal with Premier League rivals | OneFootball

Man City target Pedro Porro is reportedly close to agreeing a long-term contract with Tottenham, dealing a blow to the Hugo Viana’s pursuit of the right-back.

City had registered interest in re-signing Porro this summer as they sought competition and support for Matheus Nunes in the right-back position, with the Tottenham defender having been on the club’s books between 2019-22 without making a senior appearance.

The 26-year-old has been described as a player City director of football Hugo Viana is “a huge fan” of. However, Tottenham had already drawn a line in the sand over Porro, with manager Roberto De Zerbi viewing the Spaniard as non-transferable.

It is understood that the north London club setting a baseline fee of £50 million to even open talks. A new long-term deal would now end any realistic hope of a City move.

Report: Porro closing in on Tottenham deal until 2030

As reported by The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor, Porro is close to agreeing a long-term contract with Tottenham that would run until 2030, all but ending Manchester City‘s interest in a reunion with the Spaniard this summer.

The development is a significant one for City, who had viewed Porro’s Premier League experience, attacking quality and familiarity with the demands of the role as an ideal fit for the right-back position under incoming manager Enzo Maresca.

Spurs had been keen to tie Porro down to fresh terms for some time, with the defender’s previous deal due to expire in 2028 and the 26-year-old in line for a significant pay rise given his importance to De Zerbi’s setup.

A contract until 2030 removes Porro from the market entirely, forcing Viana to turn his full attention to alternative right-back targets as he looks to reinforce the position ahead of the new season.

What does this mean for City’s right-back search?

City have been monitoring a number of options in the right-back department, with Atalanta’s Marco Palestra and Feyenoord’s Givairo Read among the younger, specialist profiles under consideration this summer.

The pursuit of Palestra in particular has gathered pace, with City understood to be ready to make an offer for the Italy international as Atalanta hold out for a fee in the region of €50 million amid competition from Inter Milan.

Porro’s impending renewal removes the most experienced option from City’s shortlist, leaving Viana to focus on the longer-term profiles that have always represented the more realistic and strategically sound route to addressing the position.

With Nunes having impressed and exceeded expectations when deputising at right-back last season, City are under no pressure to overpay – and the collapse of the Porro option is unlikely to derail what remains a carefully planned approach to strengthening the role.