Everton are keeping tabs on former Tottenham star Serge Aurier who remains a free agent, as Rafael Benitez targets fresh signings.
According to Liverpool Echo, Everton are pondering over a move for Serge Aurier, who remains a free agent following his exit from Tottenham late in the summer. The Merseysiders are feeling short on squad depth, and the Ivorian right-back could be beneficial in more than one way.
Two consecutive defeats hampered Everton’s bright start to the season. Aston Villa ended their unbeaten run this term while QPR ousted them from the Carabao Cup in midweek on penalties. Both those defeats saw the Toffees play without some of their influential stars, who remain out with injuries.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Seamus Coleman were some of the names Rafael Benitez had to make do without, as the boss laments a lack of quality depth in his squad. Coleman, in particular, was missed, as Everton struggled without a recognised right-back in the side for both those encounters.
While the Irish international seems to be ageing, Benitez would want a long-term solution for the position. There have been whispers about younger targets, specifically from the Scottish Premiership. The Toffees wanted to sign Nathan Patterson from Rangers, and it’s been not easy to convince Steven Gerrard’s side to part ways.
As an alternative to Patterson, they are also keeping tabs on Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen and might sign the teenager during the January window. However, there also is the availability of former Spurs star Serge Aurier, who remains a free agent following his exit from the club in the summer, which intrigues the Toffees.
Aurier had been a regular with Tottenham after signing from PSG in 2017. The Ivorian right-back has played under at least two big-name managers at north London and holds plenty of experience in the Premier League.
He might also fall in line with Benitez’ style of signings at Everton so far, as the club barely spent any fees on recruits in the summer. Everton might look to approach the right-back during the January window as he could become a bargain signing, at least for the medium-term future of the club.
Everton might have also freed up space and wages after James Rodriguez’s departure to Qatar, as the Colombian was the club’s highest earner in the past 12-months.
In hindsight, Aurier might prove to be a good signing with all the experience he holds, but Everton may not look to plan to solve their right-back situation with the Ivorian in the long term. As a free transfer, the 28-year-old might save the Toffees plenty in transfer fees, which they might spend on a similar player.
