Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with both players this summer.
According to a report from Le Parisien, Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to bide their time in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier in an attempt to drive down his price, and that is strikingly similar to their ongoing interest in Everton’s Ross Barkley (as reported by the Sun).
In both cases Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy knows the player wants to leave. Everton boss Ronald Koeman has made no secret of Barkley’s imminent exit, while the latest report from France suggests Aurier’s alleged suitors are remaining patient in the hope of signing the Ivorian for less than PSG’s £22million asking price.
In both cases it is a risky approach, but if it pays off Tottenham could get two players who would significantly strengthen their squad despite some fans’ ongoing doubts regarding Barkley.
Levy plays the transfer window better than most, yet even he would have to hold his hands up and acknowledge a job well done if the waiting game pays off with a significant drop in price for both the midfielder and the full-back.
What Tottenham really need is another striker and an additional winger, and perhaps it is for that reason that the club are not paying what it takes to get Barkley or Aurier in early.
If Spurs are going to spend big, it should be in those key areas. However if they can get Aurier for less than £20million and Barkley for around that figure, it would be brilliant business.
Only time will tell how this one plays out, but it does seem Tottenham are willing to hold their nerve in a bid to save the kind of money others are merely agreeing to in this craziest of transfer windows.
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