The rumours linking Tottenham Hotspur to Ricardo Pereira had disappeared for a while, but are now up again for the end of the transfer market.
A big reason for that is because Tottenham have been watching Porto’s first league games, and didn’t send a scout exactly when the player got a fever and was unable to play. That made the outlets reckon the chase is back on.
That assumption seemed fair. Tottenham, who certainly don’t scout every Portuguese game, had officials at Porto’s first two matches, when it was known Pereira would play, but not at the third, when it was known he wouldn’t.
Now local newspaper O Jogo has a story about Juventus’ interest in Pereira, and claims the Italian side want to make a quick attempt to avoid Tottenham’s competition.
According to the newspaper, the Old Lady told a Portuguese agent they are ready to spend some cash on the right-back.
The truth is that there isn’t much to negotiate. Ricardo Pereira is a vital piece for Porto’s squad this season, and he won’t leave is not for his release clause, which is €25m.
This condition would let Pereira go to the first club who triggers the clause, so if Tottenham are really convinced they want him to replace Kylie Walker, they better act before Juve.
Tottenham were said to have made an offer in July, with different Portuguese reports stating the figure as different amounts, the highest being €15m.
A nudge for Tottenham, if they’re still keen.
