Some transfers in the English Premier League seem inevitable this summer. The departure of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley from Everton are among the finest examples of that, apart from that of Virgil van Dijk parting ways with Southampton and Kyle Walker leaving Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites have definitely tried hard to retain him but things don’t look to get any better with every passing day.
One of his prime suitors are cash-rich Manchester City, who are on a spending spree this summer. The Citizens decided to release the likes of Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta and Jesus Navas with their contract expiring, who all played a huge role in filling the right back’s role in Pep Guardiola’s first season in England last term.
Getting in few right backs is clearly a top priority for Manchester City now and Walker is definitely one of the best options in that role, given his tremendous consistency in that position in the past few seasons. Tottenham were very fast to bind him with a five-year contract last September, recognising his influence in the side but a reported rift between manager Mauricio Pochettino and the player has seen things changing.
Spurs are still reluctant to sell him and have labelled Walker at a whopping £60 million. Despite initial hesitation, City look determined to land him even at that price and are ready to double his wages to £70, 000 a week. The outcome, although delayed, seems inevitable and Tottenham’s reported move for Paris Saint-Germain star Serge Aurier makes a lot of sense.
The 24-year-old has been a fan favourite at the French capital since joining in 2015, but that hasn’t stopped from dissatisfaction creeping in. Playing second fiddle to Thomas Meunier, Aurier could make only 22 Ligue 1 appearances. He is clearly not happy and despite PSG offering him a contract extension, last reports had revealed that he is yet to respond to them with an eye seeking new opportunities.
Tottenham clearly have their path open for him then. And it goes without saying that despite being mostly unacquainted to Premier League’s style of play, the Frenchman is a better option than Walker in that role. Although only 176cm, he is a phenomenal dribbler and aggressive defender.
A youth product of French side RC Lens, Aurier was an early bloomer and impressed for team first team in as early as 2010. The 18-year-old’s eye-catching displays earned him a move to FC Toulouse in 2012. PSG gave him a trial of two seasons as they took him on loan, but there was no turning back since then.
