Liverpool transfer battle and Leeds deal perfect for new Spurs right-back move

A new right-back may well feature highly on Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham shopping list this summer. Set to be a key couple of months at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with incomings and outgoings expected to happen, Emerson Royal could be in line to depart for a new challenge elsewhere.

Subject of interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January, AC Milan have been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Emerson has served Tottenham well over the past three seasons but this summer may be the time when both parties go their separate ways.

Pedro Porro has performed really well in Postecoglou’s system and has played a big role for the Lilywhites in the final third by contributing with goals and assists. However, it is very noticeable when he isn’t in the team as Emerson unfortunately cannot offer what the Spaniard does in terms of coming inside and operating from there.

In order for Tottenham to keep on pushing up the league table and challenge for major honours, Postecoglou will want to add some more quality to his ranks as the team look to improve on their fifth-place finish in 2023/24. So who exactly could Tottenham look at when it comes to a Porro alternative? football.london takes a look below.

Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)

Kyle Walker-Peters will be playing Premier League football once again next season following Southampton’s return to the top flight at the first time of asking. The Tottenham academy graduate enjoyed a very successful campaign at St Mary’s and he was a pivotal figure in Russell Martin’s team, notably chipping in with three goals and three assists from his full-back berth.

Certainly a better player than when he left Spurs for the south coast in 2020, the Edmonton-born ace may in fact be a good option for Spurs right now as they look to bring in an alternative to Porro. What would also play into the Lilywhites’ hands if they move for Walker-Peters is that he is classed as homegrown and a club-trained player, which is something Tottenham need to be mindful of heading into the new season due to their return to Europe.

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As Walker-Peters is out of contract in the summer of 2025, Spurs could potentially strike a cut-price deal for the £17million-rated player.

Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord)

If Postecoglou wants to bring in another right-back who can play a big role in the final third, Lutsharel Geertruida may be his man. The 23-year-old enjoyed another impressive season with Feyenoord and he has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool this summer in a move that would see him reunited with Arne Slot at Anfield.

Tottenham have also been linked with the Netherlands international, who took in the North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in April, and it’s not hard to see why given his quality on the ball, attacking play and versatility. In the 2023/24 season, Geertruida registered nine goals and five assists from his 47 appearances in all competitions, thus taking his total to 24 goals and 11 assists in 198 appearances for the Rotterdam-based club.

The youngster, who also has experience of playing as a centre-back, is out of contract at De Kuip next summer and that may see Feyenoord cash in on him ahead of the new term. Valued at £27million by Transfermarkt, that value could well increase if he excels for Netherlands at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Archie Gray (Leeds United)

Archie Gray may be on the move from Leeds United this summer after the West Yorkshire club failed to win promotion back to the Premier League following their play-off final defeat against Southampton. Having found himself in the matchday squad in Premier League games in the past two seasons but unfortunately not getting any minutes, the 18-year-old enjoyed a breakout season at Elland Road.

He was in Daniel Farke’s plans from the get-go, playing 52 times in all competitions and winning the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season award in the process after an incredible year with Leeds. A midfielder by trade but spending the vast majority of his season playing at right-back, Gray could be a Porro alternative for Tottenham right now and also give Postecoglou a further option in midfield.

After all, he has the attributes to play as a right-back in Postecoglou’s system as operating in those central areas comes natural to him. If Spurs do want to make a move for the Durham-born starlet, offering Joe Rodon as part of the deal would reduce the fee and no doubt appeal to Leeds given the centre-back’s excellent form for the Championship team last campaign.

Vanderson (AS Monaco)

One player who has been linked with a move to Tottenham in recent days is Monaco ace Vanderson. Since signing from Gremio in his homeland of Brazil in 2022, the right-back has made quite an impression in Ligue 1 and contributed in an attacking sense with six goals and nine assists in 84 games.

A very dynamic player with attacking qualities, Vanderson is also good on set-pieces and that would give Postecoglou and Tottenham another option there. Whereas Walker-Peters and Geertruida are out of contract in 2025 and that could result in an exit this summer, Vanderson, who has two caps for Brazil, is contracted to Monaco until 2028 and that means they are under no pressure to sell and can demand what they want for the £17million-rated ace.

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