Serge Aurier could leave Tottenham in January, according to Football.London journalist Alasdair Gold.
The Ivorian right-back has yet to feature for Spurs so far this season, despite the club selling Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid over the summer and having both Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth injured for last Sunday’s north London derby.
And Gold believes that the £70,000-a-week ace [Spotrac] could leave Mauricio Pochettino’s men in the winter window.
Writing in a piece for Football.London, he said: “Serge Aurier is also another player who could potentially head for the exit depending on what happens between now and January.
“The Ivorian faces a fight to make the right-back position his own and it currently doesn’t look good as Davinson Sanchez was utilised there in the north London derby draw against Arsenal.
“Juan Foyth and Kyle Walker-Peters will both be back to fitness soon and that will give a good indication over whether or not Aurier has a long-term future in the capital.”
Will Spurs sell Aurier in January?
The signs certainly aren’t great for the defender.
Despite a real shortage of options at right-back his manager seems intent on not playing him, and his continued exclusion appears to be sending a clear and consistent message on Aurier’s future in north London.
The decision to omit him from the side against Arsenal last weekend, even when there were no other recognised right-backs available – starting Davinson Sanchez in his place despite the Colombian having never played at full-back before in his career – is surely the clearest indication yet of Pochettino’s plan for the 26-year-old.
Should Spurs sell him?
At the moment, you’d be inclined to say no.
Sanchez looked like a fish out of water at times on Sunday, and neither Walker-Peters nor Foyth have a great deal of senior experience.
Of course, that shouldn’t limit their chances of earning a place in the first team, but having Aurier around as cover surely wouldn’t be the worst idea.
The Ivorian didn’t feature a great deal last term, but when he did, he did okay.
Aurier averaged 2.5 tackles and 2.1 clearances per match, as well as 0.8 key passes, as per Whoscored.
He may not be perfect, but he is surely worth a second chance.