Porto lead race for Souza with €20m bid for Tottenham star

Porto have submitted a €20m (£17.4m) proposal to Tottenham for the transfer of 20-year-old Souza. The Portuguese champions have reportedly moved ahead of Benfica in the race to secure the Brazilian defender.

While both Portuguese clubs have been linked with €20m (£17.4m) offers, Porto are currently leading the pursuit. President André Villas-Boas is working to reach an agreement with the Premier League side. Souza's representatives have already reached terms with Porto, and agent Giuliano Bertolucci is currently in Portugal to assist with the negotiations.

Financial constraints distinguish the two interested clubs. Porto possess more market flexibility to structure a €20m deal, whereas Benfica faces a tighter financial situation. For Benfica to match such an offer, they would likely need to raise funds through player sales or use creative payment structures.

Negotiations remain subject to varying reports regarding their progress. Some sources suggest talks are ongoing but not yet advanced, with discussions covering both a permanent transfer and a loan with an option to buy. However, other reports indicate Porto have put the €20m forward and are actively trying to finalize the deal.

If the transfer proceeds at this valuation, it would represent a €5m (£4.3m) increase on the €15m (£13m) Tottenham paid to Santos for the player in January. This significant rise in value presents a difficult decision for the Tottenham board.

The club's decision is complicated by potential changes in their defensive lineup. With Destiny Udogie reportedly open to leaving Tottenham, a vacancy could emerge at left-back. This possibility might encourage the club to retain Souza to provide cover in that position rather than accepting the current bid.