According to RMC Sport, Serge Aurier has an agreement with Tottenham which means he’s allowed to leave if a €10 million (£9 million) bid arrives.
The French news outlet claim that Spartak Moscow and AC Milan showed interest in the 66-cap Ivory Coast international last summer.
Now, Paris Saint-Germain – his former club – are sniffing around, as are Atlético Madrid if Kieran Trippier leaves.
This leaves Tottenham in a precarious position.
Aurier is clearly the No.1 right-back at Tottenham, having made 18 Premier League starts this term whereas Matt Doherty only has 12.
However, £9 million isn’t much money, even in a market damaged by COVID-19.
Tottenham could very feasibly receive such a bid, and would then be left with Doherty – who has failed to impress this season – as their only right-back.
For a 28-year-old right-back in his prime years, £9 million seems like a snip.
That isn’t to say that Spurs should keep the £70,000-a-week Aurier.
While he’s clearly a talented player with great technical ability, he switches off far too often to be relied on at the top level.
He would be a fine option to have around Hotspur Way if the £9 million offer doesn’t arrive, but Tottenham should be looking for a new right-back regardless of what happens.
The arrival of Doherty clearly proved that Spurs felt they needed another face in that department, but the Irishman looks out of his depth.
Tottenham must find themselves a new right-back this summer, just in case someone offers £9 million for Aurier.
If they don’t, then Spurs risk starting the 2021/22 campaign with Doherty as their only senior option – if you were to recognise Japhet Tanganga as a centre-back, that is.
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