Tottenham interest in defender grows – Insistence it’s ‘real’, and steps being taken ahead of summer

Tottenham Hotspur are now even more interested in the signing of Sporting defender Manuel Ugarte, according to claims from Portugal.

Newspaper Record today writes that Spurs already had the 21-year-old on their books, but made their pursuit stronger after a few specific performances this season.

The interest from Tottenham first grew when they faced Sporting in the Champions League group stage. Then, when the Lions went to face Arsenal in London in the the Europa League’s round-of-16, scouts from Spurs went to take notes of Ugarte’s exhibition.

The defender’s contract with the Lisbon side only expires in 2026, but there’s been an uncomfortable situation regarding this deal, because despite several meetings, no agreement has been reached yet. His staff accepts the pay rise the club want to give, but don’t agree with the release clause going from €60m to €80m.

That scenario is only attracting a bigger chase from other clubs.

Record mentions that Newcastle also have the player on a ‘list of targets’, as well as Spanish clubs approaching him, but it’s Tottenham who are labelled as a ‘real interested’ club, following that scouting mission.