Serge Aurier is the only option for Tottenham at right-back (Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, Spartak Moscow have asked Tottenham Hotspur about the availability of Serge Aurier this summer.
The right-back has seemingly fallen down the pecking order after the arrival of Matt Doherty from Wolves. The Russian side feel that they can secure a deal for him and both Aurier and Spurs look like they want to part ways. (h/t Sky Sports)
Serge Aurier is a 27-year-old Ivorian defender who plays for Tottenham Hotspur. He spent time at the youth academies of Stade d’Abidjan and Villepinte before professionally starting his career at RC Lens in 2006. He played a total of 55 games for Lens before departing for Toulouse in January 2012. (h/t Transfermarkt)
His form and output improved a lot at Toulouse. In the 2 and half seasons he spent there, he played 80 games, scored 8 and assisted 13. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Paris Saint-Germain took him on loan for the 2014-15 season. They made the deal permanent in the following year. He performed decently for the Parisians in the 81 appearances he made for them, scoring 5 and assisting 15 more.
Finally in 2017, he moved to Tottenham and has amassed 83 games for the North London side. (h/t Transfermarkt) Aurier has 60 caps and 2 goals for the Ivory Coast national team till date.
This is a rather complicated situation for Spurs. If they offload Serge Aurier, they would only be left with Matt Doherty as the only right-back, having sold Kyle Walker-Peters to Southampton earlier this summer.
However, Jose Mourinho used Japhet Tanganga in the right-back slot last season and the youngster impressed. In addition, the manager has also tried out Gedson Fernandes in the same position during pre-season, while Juan Foyth can also play there.
Chances are that Aurier would not get enough game time following Doherty’s arrival. And with Tanganga being an able option to provide cover, Tottenham should go ahead and let the Ivorian leave.
Serge Aurier hasn’t been a reliable presence for Tottenham either, which is evident from Mourinho signing Matt Doherty.
Aurier has featured in just one of Spurs’ four games in the new season, indicating that he will be behind Doherty for the first-choice spot. And while there may be concerns over the lack of cover for Doherty, Tanganga showed last season that he can be relied upon to perform in the right-back slot.
Given the financial situation of the club following the pandemic, getting rid of Aurier’s £70,000-a-week wages, while investing the transfer fee received in strengthening the squad, would make a lot of sense.
