Revealed: The ex-Barcelona star that Spurs almost signed

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:09 CDT
• 3 min read

Tottenham were close to signing former Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu in the January transfer window.

Deulofeu, who also played for Everton and Watford in the Premier League, has been excellent since moving to Italy.

In the 2021-22 season, the 28-year-old scored 13 goals in 35 Serie A appearances, as well as five assists.

MORE: Barcelona were 18 seconds late in completing January signing

This season, Deulofeu has taken up more of a playmaking role, assisting six times in 19 league games.

But the Spaniard ruptured the cruciate in his right knee last month and will have to undergo surgery.

As a result, Deulofeu missed out on a return to the Premier League with Antonio Conte's Spurs.

Porro to Tottenham

Tottenham signed right-back Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon on deadline day.

Porro arrived on a loan until the end of the season, with Spurs having an obligation to buy for €45 million in the summer.

The clubs were locked in negotiations for the entire window, collapsing at one stage, before a deal was finally struck.

The 23-year-old, who was on Manchester City's books prior to Sporting, missed training to push through a return to the Premier League.

Porro's signing coincided with two players leaving the north London club.

Matt Doherty had his contract terminated so that he could move to Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, following int he footsteps of ex-Spurs star Kieran Trippier.

While youngster Djed Spence, who had struggled for gametime this season, will spend the rest of the 2022-23 season on loan at Ligue 1 club Rennes.