Tottenham Hotspur did not replace Djed Spence after selling him to Inter Milan in the summer, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi deciding to use Archie Gray as Pedro Porro’s backup at right-back.

Pedro Porro has had an injury-hit start to the campaign, missing a few games with a hamstring injury. The 2026 World Cup winner returned to action in the 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and he was used off the bench against Crystal Palace last weekend too. The 27-year-old has been openly flirting with a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona, even though he only signed a new five-year deal with Spurs in June.

Given the speculation surrounding Porro’s future in the last month or so, the Lilywhites have seemingly started scouring the market for his potential replacement.

Tottenham enter race to sign Villarreal full-back

According to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, Tottenham are among the Premier League teams monitoring Villarreal full-back Alex Freeman.

Alex Freeman has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Spanish football since the turn of the year. The USA international moved to Villarreal from Orlando City in Major League Soccer in January 2026 and made nine La Liga appearances during the second half of last term. He is on course for his breakout season at Villarreal, having already scored a goal in 14 appearances in all competitions.

The 22-year-old has caught the eye of several clubs with his rampaging displays down the right for Villarreal. Manchester City are one of the clubs keen on Freeman’s services, while rivals Manchester United have also scouted him in Spain.

“Tottenham are another team that are looking at Freeman. Manchester United, as they’re looking to rebuild their defence, are another side that are looking at Alex Freeman. He’s a great player. Great versatility. He can play anywhere across the back line,” Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast (h/t Football Insider).

“And as I said, he’s playing at a good level over in Spain, Champions League football as well. So, it’s no surprise that he has emerged on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs.”

Alex Freeman could be a smart long-term investment

Freeman is a two-footed player, capable of operating anywhere across the backline, and the scouts have been impressed by his composure on the ball, physicality, ability to make the right decisions under pressure and his tackling. The defender earned a maiden senior United States call-up in March before Mauricio Pochettino named him in his World Cup squad, where he played all five games and scored in a victory over Australia.

Rated highly by Pochettino, the Baltimore-born talent, though, will be difficult to prise away from Villarreal. This is because he penned a six-year deal with the Yellow Submarine running until June 2032 upon his arrival in January. So, the Spanish club are in a commanding negotiating position if Spurs come knocking on their door.

It remains to be seen whether the Lilywhites test Villarreal’s resolve in January, but Freeman has the qualities to potentially replace Porro in De Zerbi’s squad.