Tottenham Hotspur football club is currently stressed about their team’s right-back position because there’s a weakness on their right flank. In June, their Spanish right-back Pedro Porro signed a contract until 2031. Despite this, rumors about him returning to Spain haven’t stopped. La Liga clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona want to buy Porro in 2027.
Real Madrid is having issues with Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Barcelona with Jules Kounde, so these clubs are keeping an eye on Porro. Spurs’ rumoured asking price for Porro is more than €88 million. That would top Achraf Hakimi’s €68 million, the record fee for a right-back, and even Harry Maguire’s reported €87 million, the record for any defender.
Apart from the rumor about Porro’s transfer, Tottenham is struggling with a depth crisis. After Djed Spence went to Inter Milan, manager Roberto De Zerbi is having trouble with team selection.
With Porro returning late from the World Cup and being injured, De Zerbi had to play Archie Gray at right-back. Archie Gray is the England Under-21 captain and is naturally a central midfielder, who prefers playing in the midfield.
Due to Spence leaving and Gray being needed in midfield, Tottenham is looking for long-term defensive options.
Tottenham eye World Cup star as Pedro Porro’s replacement
Because of this, Spurs have targeted Villarreal’s 22-year-old American defender Alex Freeman as a replacement for Porro.
However, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City are also keeping an eye on Freeman.
During the World Cup, USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Freeman, saying he has the potential to be one of the best players in his position in the world. This praise brought tears to Freeman’s father’s eyes.
Tottenham might make an offer for Freeman in the January transfer window, but Villarreal has a strong hold on him with a contract until 2032. Spurs will have to decide whether to bid in the New Year or wait until summer 2027.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will face Crystal Palace on Saturday. After beating Chelsea, De Zerbi’s team will want to keep the winning momentum going in this London derby.
Freeman is the son of Super Bowl winner Antonio Freeman, and his career has progressed rapidly. Coming up through the Orlando City academy, he made his debut in 2023 and had a breakthrough performance in 2025. He won the MLS Young Player of the Year award, scoring 6 goals with 3 assists in 29 regular-season games. For his Orlando City tenure, he had 6 goals and 7 assists in 42 senior appearances.
In January 2026, Freeman moved to Villarreal, where his contract runs until June 2032. He made his USMNT debut in June 2025, and Mauricio Pochettino selected him for the 2026 World Cup squad, where he played all 5 matches and scored against Australia.
Freeman’s attacking threat allows him to play in any defensive position. This season, he has participated in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey for Villarreal and scored a goal against Valencia.
