Manchester City have completed the signing for Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kyle Walker, with BBC Football initially reported that the deal would cost £45m, rising to £50m with add-ons.The 27-year-old had been a target for Citizens boss Pep Guardiola all summer long after Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna were both released at the end of the season following the expiry of their contracts.
The Spaniard stepped up his bid to sign the England international after Dani Alves chose to join Paris Saint-Germain instead of moving to the Etihad earlier this week, and the deal will allow Walker to be closer to his family, who still live in Sheffield.
Rumours over the right-back's future had intensified when Kieran Trippier was preferred for the FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea and the final ever north London derby against Arsenal at White Hart Lane towards the end of last season.
Mauricio Pochettino looks likely to bring in a replacement for Walker if the press are to be believed, and The Telegraph say he is targeting a move for FC Portoâs Ricardo Pereira.
Here are three reasons Tottenham must go all out to sign Portuguese full-backâ¦
Statistics
Despite being a FC Porto player, Pereira has spent the last two seasons on loan at Ligue 1 oufit Nice, and he has made a huge impression.
The French side have recorded fourth and third-place finishes respectively in the 23-year-oldâs two years at the Allianz Arena, and he scored two goals and provided a further four assists in 30 appearances in all competitions last term.
The Portuguese star loves to get forward and take opponents on and he successfully completed 25 of the 40 take-ons he attempted in 24 Ligue 1 outings last term, while he showed his defensive abilities by making an impressive 74 clearances.
Versatility
While the reason behind signing of Pereira would primarily be to replace Walker and provide competition for Kieran Trippier in the right-back/right wing-back spot, the Portuguese star is also able to play even further forward on the right-hand side and even at left-back having done it on a number of occasions for Porto and Nice.
His versatility could prove to be extremely useful as the 23-year-old could also fill in on the right wing if needed, and that flexibility could be key in what is sure to be a tough season for Tottenham at their temporary Wembley home in the Premier League and group stages of the Champions League.
Price tag/Potential
According to reports in The Telegraph, Pereira could be available for around £20m this summer having made a big impression during his time with Nice, and in that respect he would be a brilliant Walker replacement.
At 23 years of age, he looks to have a bright future and if Spurs can get £45m for the England international and then spend less than half of that on the Porto star, they will be delighted.
To have Pereira and Trippier as their right-back/right wing-back options and then money left over to spend on strengthening other areas of the squad, will mean that they are in a strong position and prepared for next season.
Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.