Tottenham eye move for £22m-rated defender as Walker replacement

Tottenham are weighing up a move for Porto right-back Ricardo Pereira as Kyle Walker’s replacement, reports the London Evening Standard.

Walker will undergo his City medical on Friday after Pep Guardiola’s side had a £50m bid accepted for the England international and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to use the money to fund a replacement.

Pochettino is keen to give Kieran Trippier, who has largely spent the first two years of his Tottenham career as Walker’s understudy, the chance the establish himself as the club’s new first choice right-back, but also wants to bring in competition.

Tottenham have been frequently linked with a move for Pereira and Porto are confident the Premier League outfit will match his £22m release clause in the wake of Walker’s impending move to City.

The 23-year-old, who can play right the way up the right flank, has spent the last two years on loan at Ligue 1 side Nice and was reportedly recommended by Tottenham’s head scout, Steve Hitchen, who specialises in French football.

In the last two Ligue 1 seasons only Djibril Sidibe (194) and Sebastien Corchia (179) have completed more tackles than Pereira (171) of all defenders.

For more stats on Ricardo Pereira, click here to visit his WhoScored player page