According to reports in The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a move for FC Porto right-back Ricardo Pereira if Kyle Walker leaves the club this summer.
The England international has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City all summer and the report suggests that the move could now be completed after the 27-year-old returned from duty with his country.
If he was to go, the rumour linking Spurs to Pereira would suggest that manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking for a new first choice right-back, or one that would provide competition for Kieran Trippier.
The former Burnley man – who moved to the north London outfit in 2015 – would certainly feel hard done by if he wasn’t given the opportunity to be the club’s new number one in that position considering how patient he has been and some of the performances he has produced when he has featured.
Here are three reasons Tottenham should stick with Trippier instead of signing Pereira…
His performances
Trippier certainly showed towards the end of last season when he was preferred to Walker in the starting line-up for matches like the ones against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and Arsenal in the final ever north London derby at White Hart Lane, just how good he can be both from a defensive and offensive point of view.
The 26-year-old was even named as the man of the match in the 4-0 home win against Watford in April where he provided one assist and should have had more if not for poor finishing and the woodwork.
They can save money
As far as Tottenham supporters are concerned, the majority will feel that Trippier is capable of stepping up and effectively replacing Walker on the evidence they have seen so far.
The 26-year-old has shown that he has the stamina to get up and down the pitch and as well as being solid defensively, he can make a difference in attack too.
If Spurs stick with the right-back they can save themselves the likely £20m fee they would have to pay for Pereira, allowing them to spend that elsewhere on the team.
They have Walker-Peters
Pochettino has shown since he took over at Spurs that he isn’t afraid to give young players an opportunity if they are good enough – Dele Alli and Harry Winks are just a couple of examples – and he has a young right-back in his ranks that may deserve an opportunity sooner rather than later.
Kyle Walker-Peters was a huge part of the England side that won the Under-20 World Cup earlier this month, and the 19-year-old would want to prove that he is able back up to Trippier next season – something that wouldn’t happen if Pereira is brought in.
Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.