Danjuma, Porro bolster Tottenham attack in January transfer window

The January transfer window has closed, and as usual, Tottenham Hotspur left it late to finish most of their business. Spurs ultimately made seven moves getting three players through the door while having four players leave on loan/permanent deals.

Two of three Tottenham arrivals should help now

All was quiet at Hotspur Way until a week before the transfer window closed when Spurs made a sensational move to hijack Arnaut Danjuma’s (26) loan move to Everton. Danjuma was set to sign for Everton and reportedly had already completed his medical and took part in some media duties. However, he didn’t hesitate to turn his head when Spurs came calling.

Danjuma joins Spurs on loan from Villareal, and Danjuma is usually deployed up front but can also play out wide on the left flank. Spurs also have the option to make Danjuma’s loan move permanent over the summer for 24m euros.

One Spurs signing for the future

Tottenham signed another forward, Jude Soonsup-Bell (19), from Chelsea on a free transfer. Soonsup-Bell is a talented forward who will presumably feature in the U21s unless Spurs plan to loan him out in the summer. According to the Daily Mail, a sell-on clause was included in the deal.

One major need addressed at N17

Tottenham also managed to sign Pedro Porro (23) from Sporting CP in a transfer saga with many twists and turns. At the beginning of the window, Sporting was adamant that they did not want to sell Porro, and the only way they would sell him was if his release clause was met. Porro’s release clause was reported to be around 45m euros.

Spurs appeared to show no intent to pay the release clause, leaving both clubs at a standstill. However, there appeared to be a breakthrough on Saturday (January 28th) as Spurs were planning to sign Porro and pay the transfer fee through installments, but that was short-lived as many reports were stating the deal could’ve been off as talks were stalling. Despite the difficulties of the deal, Spurs and Sporting were able to compromise in the form of a familiar sight for Tottenham fans – a loan with an obligation to buy for, ironically, around 45m euros. Porro is an upgrade in the wing-back department, as he can spray crosses in from any angle on the pitch and is fantastic on the ball.

Several Spurs players are heading out the door

Like the players joining the club, Tottenham left it late to do business regarding players leaving the club. In the window’s final days, Spurs loaned out several players and ended up terminating one player’s contract.

As Spurs were closing in on Porro, they had a problem: they would have four players all playing right wing-back at the club. To fix this problem, Spurs sent the young Djed Spence to Ligue 1 side Rennes on a straight loan deal as he looks for more game time, and Rennes needs an injury replacement.

Tottenham initially loaned out Matt Doherty to Atletico Madrid. Then, after a bizarre series of events, Spurs were forced to terminate Doherty’s contract in the dying hours as they would’ve exceeded the maximum number of players that can be loaned out (8), a rule set by the Premier League.

The talented Bryan Gil was also sent out on loan to make room for the arrival of Danjuma. Gil returns to Sevilla on a straight loan deal as he is back in La Liga. This move appears to be a bit of a head-scratcher from Tottenham’s perspective. Spurs purchased Gil from Sevilla in the summer of 2021, and many fans believed that a loan move to a Premier League club might’ve helped Gil’s development instead. Of course, a loan would have had to materialize, and Sevilla was an easy move.

Harvey White was also sent out on loan to Derby County as he seeks more game time. Spurs have high hopes for the midfielder, and Derby appears to be a solid loan option to further his development.

A similar transfer window compared to last January for Tottenham Hotspur

It wouldn’t be a typical transfer window for Tottenham if there were not any chaos or last-minute drama. However, Tottenham Hotspur will hope that the arrivals of Danjuma and Porro will have a similar impact that Dejan Kulusevksi and Rodrigo Bentancur had last January and give them a boost in the top four race, F.A. Cup, and Champions League.