Tottenham retain Souza despite Porto bids as De Zerbi backs defender

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to retain defender Joao Victor de Souza Menezes for the 2026 season, according to reports by journalist Eduardo Burgos. The 20-year-old Brazilian attracted significant interest from Portuguese clubs, with FC Porto submitting two official bids and a loan offer, while Benfica was also reportedly interested in the player.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi is backing Souza to become a game-changer for the North London club, despite the defender struggling for playing time. Souza joined Tottenham from Brazil in January but finds himself behind Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence in the pecking order for full-back positions. The situation was further complicated this summer by the signing of Andy Robertson, which has added to the competition for squad spots.

The decision to keep Souza comes at a critical juncture for his development. Former Tottenham manager Thomas Frank previously described the defender as forward-thinking and technically very good. However, observers note that the club faced a perilous period battling to avoid relegation during Souza's initial stint, which limited opportunities for the youngster to establish himself in the first team.

There is an ongoing debate regarding whether retaining Souza hinders his progress due to a lack of regular competitive football. Some analysts suggest that a season on loan in Portugal would provide an ideal environment for Souza to gain experience and tactical education before returning to compete for a first-team place at Tottenham.

Despite the external interest and internal competition, the report indicates that Spurs have declined the offers from FC Porto. The club appears committed to De Zerbi’s assessment of Souza’s potential, prioritising long-term squad building over immediate loan returns or sales, even as the defender navigates a crowded defensive roster.