As Real Madrid step up plans to bring in a new right-back, the LaLiga giants are keeping close tabs on Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro, a player who has been the subject of long-term interest from the Spanish and European champions.

Porro impressing Real Madrid scouts in Premier League

Back in January 2023, before Porro left Sporting CP for Tottenham, AS reported that Madrid were eyeing a move for the Spanish international. Now, with Dani Carvajal’s serious knee injury prompting Los Blancos to intensify their pursuit of a right-back, Porro remains firmly on the club’s radar. Although Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold is Madrid’s chief target, Porro is among the alternatives viewed as the most attractive. Since he arrived in the Premier League, indeed, Madrid’s scouting reports on the 25-year-old have been increasingly glowing.

Madrid are impressed by the progress Porro has made in the English top flight, where he has matured as a player as he deals with some of the most dangerous wingers on the planet. His development has also been aided by Tottenham’s appointment of Ange Postecoglou as head coach. Having played as a highly attack-minded right wing-back both at Sporting and in his first six months at Spurs, Porro now operates as a full-back in Postecoglou’s 4-4-2 formation. While the Spaniard remains a player who doesn’t need a second invitation to join in the attack, his positional switch has helped to polish his defensive capabilities.

How much would Porro cost to sign?

However, prising Porro from Tottenham’s clutches would not be a straightforward proposition for Madrid. After an initial €5 million loan, Spurs paid a further €40 million to make the move permanent. A fixture in the North Londoners’ team, his market worth has steadily grown at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The specialist website Transfermarkt valued him at €25 million when he joined Spurs, and now prices him at the €45 million he cost the Premier League club.

Porro has amassed 64 appearances for Tottenham, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists. Ever-present in the Premier League this season, his performances have earned him a recall to the Spain squad, with national coach Luis de la Fuente starting him in both of La Roja’s games in the October international week. With all this in mind, Tottenham can be expected to drive a hard bargain for a player who remains under contract until 2028. If Madrid decide to swoop for the defender, they will have to dig deep.

TAA remains Real Madrid’s priority option

Before making any moves for Porro, however, Madrid will first try to sign Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at the end of the season and is stalling on signing a new deal at Anfield. As things stand, the 26-year-old will be free to negotiate a summer free transfer to a non-English club from January 1, 2025. Should Madrid’s pursuit of Alexander-Arnold fall through, though, Porro has emerged as an ever likelier back-up candidate, alongside other potential options such as Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.