CHELSEA have overtaken Tottenham in the race to sign Pedro Porro, according to reports.
Porro, 23, comes highly-rated from Sporting Lisbon and consequently has attracted heavy interest from the Premier League.
EPAPedro Porro is the subject of a tug-of-war between Chelsea and Tottenham[/caption]
Here’s how Porro has performed in the Champions League for Sporting Lisbon this season
Tottenham have been a long-term admirer of his, owing to their lack of quality at right wing-back.
However, with the North Londoners stalling on coughing up the Spaniard’s £37million release clause, it has given Chelsea the opportunity to take advantage.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea are now the club “closest” to signing him.
They suggest the recent run of poor results has added to arguments to add reinforcements, with Reece James a frequent injury worry despite his clear prowess in the position.
Graham Potter will be happy to add a genuine quality option in the position as well as bolstering his misfiring attack with a loan move for Joao Felix.
For Antonio Conte and Tottenham, it will come as a bitter blow given their desperate need for an improvement in the position, with Fabrizio Romano reaffirming that Porro is their main target.
Conte heavily endorsed a move for a right wing-back in the summer, with Tottenham securing Djed Spence and Ivan Perisic.
But Spence seldom plays under the Italian, while Perisic operates mainly on the left flank.
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Both sides are seeing the top four slip away from their grasp, which would deprive them of the Champions League next season, unless one of them can win the competition.
Tottenham remain close to fourth place Manchester United after losing the spot over the festive period, but their poor performances continue to prove worrisome for the Spurs faithful.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s struggles speak for themselves.
They are currently 10th in the Prem, with a damning stat revealing their poor form under Potter – though the Blues had slipped below par even under predecessor Thomas Tuchel.