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Blaugrana have made a formal approach to sign Spurs right-back Porro, as per reports in Spain (via Metro). The Catalan giants are actively preparing for the potential departure of their current defender, Kounde. Porro recently enjoyed a phenomenal summer on the international stage. The 26-year-old started all but one game as Spain secured a glorious World Cup triumph in North America.

He has spent four impressive seasons in the Premier League since initially joining Spurs on loan from Sporting CP in January 2023. His consistent performances in London have now caught the eye of the Liga heavyweights.

Barcelona's interest in Porro directly stems from growing uncertainty surrounding Kounde's future. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is extremely keen to recruit the France international before the summer transfer window closes. Speaking on Jijantes, Spanish journalist Gerard Romero confirmed that Barcelona are actively planning ahead.

"Contact has been made in recent days with Pedro Porro, with the full-back’s entourage," Romero revealed. "He is one of the highest paid players at Tottenham, he renewed very recently, but Barcelona have sounded out his entourage in the event that Jules Kounde leaves. Kounde has many offers from the Premier League, so far the player hasn’t shown any signs of wanting to leave but it’s a case that’s half open, so anything can happen."

Securing Porro's signature will undoubtedly prove incredibly difficult for Barcelona. The Spanish international only recently signed a lucrative new long-term contract in June, keeping him tied to Tottenham until 2031. Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi views the full-back as a fundamental part of his tactical system.

"Pedro is a very important player for us, who has consistently shown his ability to influence matches in both defensive and attacking situations," the Italian stated after Porro's renewal.

"As well as his technical quality, I also love his mentality. Every day he wants to work, to learn and to improve, and these are the characteristics that help players reach the highest level."

Blaugrana have made a formal approach to sign Spurs right-back Porro, as per reports in Spain (via Metro). The Catalan giants are actively preparing for the potential departure of their current defender, Kounde. Porro recently enjoyed a phenomenal summer on the international stage. The 26-year-old started all but one game as Spain secured a glorious World Cup triumph in North America.

He has spent four impressive seasons in the Premier League since initially joining Spurs on loan from Sporting CP in January 2023. His consistent performances in London have now caught the eye of the Liga heavyweights.

Barcelona's interest in Porro directly stems from growing uncertainty surrounding Kounde's future. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is extremely keen to recruit the France international before the summer transfer window closes. Speaking on Jijantes, Spanish journalist Gerard Romero confirmed that Barcelona are actively planning ahead.

"Contact has been made in recent days with Pedro Porro, with the full-back’s entourage," Romero revealed. "He is one of the highest paid players at Tottenham, he renewed very recently, but Barcelona have sounded out his entourage in the event that Jules Kounde leaves. Kounde has many offers from the Premier League, so far the player hasn’t shown any signs of wanting to leave but it’s a case that’s half open, so anything can happen."

Securing Porro's signature will undoubtedly prove incredibly difficult for Barcelona. The Spanish international only recently signed a lucrative new long-term contract in June, keeping him tied to Tottenham until 2031. Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi views the full-back as a fundamental part of his tactical system.

"Pedro is a very important player for us, who has consistently shown his ability to influence matches in both defensive and attacking situations," the Italian stated after Porro's renewal.

"As well as his technical quality, I also love his mentality. Every day he wants to work, to learn and to improve, and these are the characteristics that help players reach the highest level."

Tottenham have made a concrete move to secure Balogun from Monaco before the summer transfer window officially closes. According to French publication L'Equipe, the North London club have initiated discussions over a deal worth €60m for the highly-rated striker.

Having recently appointed renowned agent Jorge Mendes to manage his affairs, the forward has attracted attention from several European suitors, including Newcastle, but Spurs have taken the lead.

Monaco appear willing to negotiate as the potential departure could drastically reshape their own transfer strategy, relieving the financial pressure to sell other key assets like Lamine Camara. De Zerbi is undeniably eager to bring the attacker back to England.

Balogun enjoyed a particularly fine campaign on the French Riviera, scoring 19 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions for the club last season. His sharp form seamlessly extended to the international stage, where he delivered incredibly eye-catching performances during the recent World Cup. Spurs view the former Arsenal player as an ideal candidate to revitalise an attacking line that severely lacked consistency.

With Dominic Solanke currently struggling to find the back of the net regularly, De Zerbi requires reliable options up front to aggressively push the team towards European qualification. Balogun also feels he has unfinished business in the Premier League after managing just 10 senior appearances previously.

Despite mounting interest from England, Monaco head coach Filipe Luis remains desperate to keep his star man. Speaking after a 1-0 pre-season friendly victory over Getafe on Thursday, Luis praised the forward's unique profile while acknowledging that bids were inevitable.

"He is one of our players. I know he’s going to receive a lot of offers given his last season and his World Cup performance," Luis explained. "He’s a special player. You don’t find many players on the market with his attributes. If he stays, I’ll be really, really happy to have him with us." Monaco hold significant leverage, as his contract runs until June 30, 2028.

Tottenham must now quickly decide whether to meet the hefty €60m asking price or pursue alternative targets before the deadline passes. If De Zerbi can successfully wrap up a deal for Balogun, it would represent a massive statement of intent for the upcoming campaign. Spurs will look to finalise their decision shortly as they aim to build a squad fully capable of competing at the very top.

Tottenham have made a concrete move to secure Balogun from Monaco before the summer transfer window officially closes. According to French publication L'Equipe, the North London club have initiated discussions over a deal worth €60m for the highly-rated striker.

Having recently appointed renowned agent Jorge Mendes to manage his affairs, the forward has attracted attention from several European suitors, including Newcastle, but Spurs have taken the lead.

Monaco appear willing to negotiate as the potential departure could drastically reshape their own transfer strategy, relieving the financial pressure to sell other key assets like Lamine Camara. De Zerbi is undeniably eager to bring the attacker back to England.

Balogun enjoyed a particularly fine campaign on the French Riviera, scoring 19 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions for the club last season. His sharp form seamlessly extended to the international stage, where he delivered incredibly eye-catching performances during the recent World Cup. Spurs view the former Arsenal player as an ideal candidate to revitalise an attacking line that severely lacked consistency.

With Dominic Solanke currently struggling to find the back of the net regularly, De Zerbi requires reliable options up front to aggressively push the team towards European qualification. Balogun also feels he has unfinished business in the Premier League after managing just 10 senior appearances previously.

Despite mounting interest from England, Monaco head coach Filipe Luis remains desperate to keep his star man. Speaking after a 1-0 pre-season friendly victory over Getafe on Thursday, Luis praised the forward's unique profile while acknowledging that bids were inevitable.

"He is one of our players. I know he’s going to receive a lot of offers given his last season and his World Cup performance," Luis explained. "He’s a special player. You don’t find many players on the market with his attributes. If he stays, I’ll be really, really happy to have him with us." Monaco hold significant leverage, as his contract runs until June 30, 2028.

Tottenham must now quickly decide whether to meet the hefty €60m asking price or pursue alternative targets before the deadline passes. If De Zerbi can successfully wrap up a deal for Balogun, it would represent a massive statement of intent for the upcoming campaign. Spurs will look to finalise their decision shortly as they aim to build a squad fully capable of competing at the very top.

Arsenal finally ended their long wait for silverware last season when Mikel Arteta led them to a historic first Premier League title in 22 years. The Gunners have wasted no time in strengthening their squad for the title defence, securing the marquee signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United to bolster their midfield options.

Former Liverpool and Manchester United forward Michael Owen believes that while Arsenal are the team to beat, the title race will be far from a procession.

Speaking to Metro, Owen explained his stance on the upcoming battle at the summit of the table. ‘I think there can be a few title challengers this season,’ Owen said. ‘You look at Arsenal’s points tally and it wasn’t in the nineties so they only have to drop a little and with Chelsea not in Europe, they can mount a challenge."

The landscape of the Premier League has shifted significantly over the summer with several major managerial appointments. Liverpool have turned to Andoni Iraola to replace the outgoing Arne Slot, while Chelsea have handed the reins to Xabi Alonso following a disappointing domestic campaign.

Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca has made a high-profile return to Manchester City. Owen is particularly optimistic about the impact the new Spanish managers will have on their respective clubs, tipping Liverpool and Chelsea to be the primary threats to Arsenal’s supremacy this season.

"Last season at Liverpool wasn’t great, the style of play wasn’t as good as it had been and they conceded far too many goals,’ Owen said. ‘But Slot leaving and Iraola replacing him means a new style of play. He brings a lot of excitement from the way he played at Bournemouth, but Liverpool are a much bigger club and the pressure mounts up now."

Chelsea represent the wildcard in Owen's prediction, particularly as they do not have the distraction of European football to contend with this year. The Blues have once again been active in the transfer market, and Owen believes Alonso could be the man to finally unify a bloated and expensive squad.

"Chelsea have once again spent big in the transfer window, but maybe this time, they have a manager who can control the dressing room and get the best out of the players, for them to play as a team and be consistent," he said. ‘It is a big factor not having European football and should give them a chance to perform well during the season."

Further down the table, Michael Carrick is gearing up for his first full season as the permanent manager of Manchester United after taking over in an interim capacity last year. While the Red Devils have high ambitions, Owen is concerned that their return to the Champions League might stretch a squad that he deems currently insufficient for a multi-front assault.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are tipped to return to the European spots under Roberto De Zerbi following an expensive summer recruitment drive that has increased expectations in North London.

"I don’t think the squad is there right now," he said. "They need to add a few more players to cope with the increased demands of all competitions, especially the Champions League. I would think Man Utd are looking to strengthen more and I would be surprised if they didn’t."

Christian Romero is on the verge of signing for Atlético Madrid. The centre-back is set to leave Tottenham Hotspur and sign until 2030 in the Spanish capital, according to Nicolò Schira.

Romero's departure from Spurs after this season has been clear for some time. The club captain submitted his wish to leave at the end of last season.

Inter looked the most likely destination for the Argentine for a long time, but they could not reach an agreement with Tottenham, who demanded €45 million.

Atlético are ready to put that amount on the table and are very close to an agreement. According to the transfer market expert, the final details are now being ironed out.

At Atlético, Romero will earn a salary of €6 million per year. He will sign until mid-2030, with the option to extend by a further year until mid-2031.

Cristian Romero is on the verge of signing for Atlético Madrid. The centre-back is set to leave Tottenham Hotspur and sign until 2030 in the Spanish capital, according to Nicolò Schira.

Romero's exit from Spurs had looked likely for some time after this season. The club captain submitted his desire to leave at the end of last season.

Inter seemed the most likely destination for the Argentine for a long spell, but they could not reach an agreement with Tottenham, who demanded €45 million.

Atlético are ready to put that amount on the table and are closing in on an agreement. According to the transfer market expert, the final details are currently being ironed out.

At Atlético, Romero will earn €6 million a year. He will sign until mid-2030, with the option to extend until mid-2031.

The Nerazzurri have been forced to reconsider their summer recruitment strategy following complications in their pursuit of Diaby. The French winger, who traded the Premier League for Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, had been identified as a marquee addition for Cristian Chivu’s side. However, the move is not proceeding as things stand due to a significant gap in valuation between the two clubs.

Spence has emerged once again as a viable candidate to fill the wing-back role at the San Siro. The 23-year-old was high on the club's shortlist earlier this summer before Inter turned their attention toward more offensive-minded targets like Diaby. Now, with the French international appearing out of reach, Spence is now back in their thinking as a solution for the right flank, according to Sky Sports.

Despite Spence’s status as a peripheral figure at times during his Tottenham career, the Premier League side are not prepared to let him leave on the cheap. Spurs are understood to be seeking a total package worth around £30m for the defender, a figure that reflects his potential and remaining contract length.

Spence still has three years left on his current deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the club holds the option of a further year, giving them a strong negotiating position as the transfer deadline approaches.

Financial details from Italy suggest that the deal could be structured to include performance-related add-ons to bridge the gap between the two clubs' valuations. Specifically, reports indicate the national team player could leave London for £30m plus £5m in bonuses.

Inter Milan are not the only heavyweights keeping a close eye on the defender’s situation this summer. The race for his signature is heating up as domestic rivals in England consider their own defensive reinforcements.

According to Ben Jacobs, Spence has been offered to Liverpool and Manchester United as his representatives explore every possible avenue for a move. Both Premier League clubs are currently assessing their options on the flanks, and the versatility offered by a player who can cover both the right and left sides is highly valued in modern squad building.

The defender's stock remains high following a period where he proved his quality on the biggest stages. His reputation was particularly bolstered by a series of dynamic, high-energy performances during the World Cup, which showcased his ability to influence both the attacking and defensive phases of the game.

Spence is reportedly open to leaving Tottenham if the right opportunity arises, with his primary focus being a role that offers guaranteed first-team football. The lure of the San Siro and the opportunity to compete for the Scudetto could be a decisive factor, provided Inter can finalise an agreement with Spurs.

Chelsea are set to welcome Luton Town to Stamford Bridge in the standout fixture of the Carabao Cup southern section. The Blues, who have lifted this trophy on five occasions, are looking to re-establish their dominance in domestic knockout football. Their most recent triumph in the competition came in 2015, when a John Terry strike and a Kyle Walker own goal secured a 2-0 victory against Mauricio Pochettino's young Tottenham side at Wembley.

Tottenham Hotspur will also enjoy home comforts as they prepare to host Charlton Athletic in a cross-London encounter. This fixture marks the first competitive meeting between the two sides since an FA Cup third-round tie in 2011, which Spurs won 3-0 thanks to an Andros Townsend opener and a quickfire double from Jermain Defoe. Spurs are looking to replicate their Carabao Cup success from 2008, when Jonathan Woodgate scored an extra-time winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the final.

The draw remained regionalised into northern and southern sections to minimize travel for fans during the early stages of the tournament. One of the most intriguing matches from the southern draw sees Southampton take on West Ham United at St Mary's in a clash between two former Premier League sides.

In the northern section, the headline fixture sees Nottingham Forest host Leeds United at the City Ground. Forest, who reached the Europa League semi-finals last term, will face a stern test against a Leeds side always capable of an upset in knockout football. Elsewhere in the north, Newcastle United have been handed a home tie against West Bromwich Albion, while Everton must travel to Deepdale to take on Preston North End.

Manchester City entered the draw as the defending champions after their dramatic victory over Arsenal at Wembley last season. In that final, a second-half brace from rising star Nico O'Reilly proved the difference as City claimed their ninth Carabao Cup title. That victory was particularly significant for Pep Guardiola, as it saw him become the first manager in the history of English football to win the League Cup five times.

The second-round ties are currently scheduled to take place during the week commencing Monday, August 24. While the primary draw is complete, the specific kick-off times and television broadcast selections are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Chelsea are set to welcome Luton Town to Stamford Bridge in the standout fixture of the Carabao Cup southern section. The Blues, who have lifted this trophy on five occasions, are looking to re-establish their dominance in domestic knockout football. Their most recent triumph in the competition came in 2015, when a John Terry strike and a Kyle Walker own goal secured a 2-0 victory against Mauricio Pochettino's young Tottenham side at Wembley.

Tottenham Hotspur will also enjoy home comforts as they prepare to host Charlton Athletic in a cross-London encounter. This fixture marks the first competitive meeting between the two sides since an FA Cup third-round tie in 2011, which Spurs won 3-0 thanks to an Andros Townsend opener and a quickfire double from Jermain Defoe. Spurs are looking to replicate their Carabao Cup success from 2008, when Jonathan Woodgate scored an extra-time winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the final.

The draw remained regionalised into northern and southern sections to minimize travel for fans during the early stages of the tournament. One of the most intriguing matches from the southern draw sees Southampton take on West Ham United at St Mary's in a clash between two former Premier League sides.

In the northern section, the headline fixture sees Nottingham Forest host Leeds United at the City Ground. Forest, who reached the Europa League semi-finals last term, will face a stern test against a Leeds side always capable of an upset in knockout football. Elsewhere in the north, Newcastle United have been handed a home tie against West Bromwich Albion, while Everton must travel to Deepdale to take on Preston North End.

Manchester City entered the draw as the defending champions after their dramatic victory over Arsenal at Wembley last season. In that final, a second-half brace from rising star Nico O'Reilly proved the difference as City claimed their ninth Carabao Cup title. That victory was particularly significant for Pep Guardiola, as it saw him become the first manager in the history of English football to win the League Cup five times.

The second-round ties are currently scheduled to take place during the week commencing Monday, August 24. While the primary draw is complete, the specific kick-off times and television broadcast selections are expected to be announced in the coming days.