Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Tue 2 June 2026 16:00, UK

Pedro Porro has become vital for Tottenham Hotspur, playing a major part in securing the club’s Premier League status.

Since arriving from Portuguese giants Sporting in 2023, the Spaniard has been a consistently dependable presence for the Lilywhites.

After emerging as one of the league’s standout full-backs under Ange Postecoglou, Porro went on to play a talismanic role as Roberto De Zerbi steadied Spurs amid the relegation battle.

With the summer window approaching, the defender has attracted interest from both Real Madrid and Manchester City.

But De Zerbi will be relieved for now, with Madrid instead targeting another option overseas.

Real Madrid’s Pedro Porro interest cools as Inter man targeted

Making 34 appearances in the Premier League, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet – even more so this term, given the dismal circumstances.

While there are some defensive holes in his game, his importance on the ball makes him simply undroppable in North London.

Ahead of next term, Spanish giants Real Madrid were said to have been interested in the Tottenham defender.

This has now cooled, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Los Blancos are in touch with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries.

A different option to Porro, Dumfries is a powerful fullback looking to attack the box and cause trouble with his physical stature – potentially complementing the technical qualities of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

🚨🇳🇱 Understand Denzel Dumfries has release clause worth slightly less than €25m this summer.

Real Madrid are informed and in touch with his camp. No bid/talks needed: clause or nothing.

Liverpool were keen but Slot gone could change plans.

🎥🇮🇹 https://t.co/Aby60xtmXr pic.twitter.com/M2tpgobitG

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 2, 2026

Romano also mentioned that Spurs do not want to sell the Spaniard this summer, with Porro seen as a key player by De Zerbi and the hierarchy.

At 26, the right back is soon to be entering the prime years of his career, and Spurs need to match his ambition if they are to keep hold of him for the coming years.

Roberto De Zerbi must keep Pedro Porro at the centre of his plans

In the closing weeks of the campaign under De Zerbi, the Spanish right-back emerged as the true driving force of the Lilywhites on the field.

Functionally, he behaves more like a midfielder within the back four, and his willingness to advance into attacking areas frequently helped to disguise the lack of edge from Tottenham’s wide forwards.

If he is to remain in North London, the new head coach has to ensure that the team continues to be built around him.

At Sassuolo and Brighton, De Zerbi regularly built his teams around a single on‑ball focal point, with Manuel Locatelli and Alexis Mac Allister being prime examples.

Porro may not be a midfielder, but he is capable of assuming a similar responsibility.

As De Zerbi looks to craft a side that dominates possession, he will aim to recreate the controlled and patterned football that defined his earlier work.

Porro’s distinctive skill set at right-back gives Spurs qualities they do not possess elsewhere in the squad, and he must remain in place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.