According to Foot Mercato, Nottingham Forest have offered Serge Aurier a contract, following a difficult period for him since leaving Tottenham in 2021.
What’s the story?
Well, Spurs terminated the Ivory Coast international’s contract by mutual consent back in September 2021 after he told the north Londoners he wanted to leave.
Aurier eventually landed a decent move to Villarreal, where he made five Champions League appearances as the Yellow Submarine reached the semi-finals against Liverpool.
However, Unai Emery decided against keeping the 29-year-old in Spain, and he is now a free agent.
Foot Mercato believe Nottingham Forest have also agreed a one-year contract with Djibril Sidibe, who is also a free agent after leaving Monaco.
By the sounds of it, Aurier is a backup option for Steve Cooper in case a deal for Sidibe collapses, but it is certainly interesting to hear that Nottingham Forest have sent the Ivorian a contract despite agreeing a deal with the France international.
In total, Aurier made 24 appearances for Villarreal last season, providing two assists.
Nottingham Forest must sign Sidibe over Aurier
In our view, Sidibe is a far better player than Aurier, and Cooper must ensure he wraps that deal up so he doesn’t have to sign the man Tottenham released.
While the Ivorian possesses a wicked cross and is a strong technician, he often lacks concentration, and was a liability for Spurs at the back on a number of occasions.
Roy Keane even criticised Aurier for a lack of footballing intelligence earlier this year, while Ian Wright has also been left baffled by the right-back’s defending ability – of lack of, shall we say.
That isn’t to say that Sidibe is the perfect footballer, but if Cooper is simply looking for someone to compete with Neco Williams, the World Cup winner must be signed ahead of Aurier.
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