The speculation linking Tottenham star Pedro Porro with a move to Barcelona is refusing to go away as we edge closer to the January transfer window.

We have heard contradictory reports on the Spurs right-back’s future from the Spanish media over the last few weeks.

However, an update from Sport a few days ago suggested that it would be ‘almost impossible’ to get the 27-year-old out of Tottenham in the January window, as Roberto De Zerbi considers him a key part of his plans.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is a big fan of Tottenham’s Pedro Porro

A new report in Catalan outlet 3 Cat has now claimed that Barca are prioritising strengthening their backline in January, and Porro is near the top of their wishlist.

It is revealed that the club’s interest in the Tottenham man is driven by Barca president Joan Laporta, who is a fan of the player.

The connection that Porro established with Lamine Yamal on the right for Spain during their successful World Cup campaign is thought to have piqued the interest of the La Liga giants.

In fact, it is revealed that Laporte was in the stadium in Dallas to watch the right-back score in the semifinal at the World Cup, and was also impressed by the way the former Sporting Lisbon man performed in the final against Argentina.

3 Cat back up what other reports have said on the Catalan club’s pursuit of Porro, making it clear that the operation will not be easy as the right-back only signed a new long-term deal with Tottenham in the summer.

The new contract has not stopped Barca from getting all the required information on the 27-year-old, which they started doing in the summer, and they are not ruling out a move.

However, the website makes it clear that the pursuit has not gone beyond the information-gathering stage. The La Liga club have not made any official proposal to the player or to Spurs.

It was claimed by TEAMtalk earlier this month that Tottenham value Porro at around £75m, which would be a world-record fee for a full-back.