Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier reportedly prefers a move to join Manchester United over long-time suitors Tottenham Hotspur.
According to a report by The Sun, Serge Aurier is keen on exiting PSG to join Manchester United – snubbing advances made by Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have been linked with Aurier for months now, but the defender is believed to prefer a move to join their Premier League rivals instead.
If United are able to match PSG’s asking price for Aurier, the deal could be finalized soon. The French club are in desperate need to reduce their wage bill due to Neymar’s £500,000-a-week payout.
Aurier still has two years left on his contract with PSG, but is understood to have a preference to leave the French club this season to explore options abroad even after being offered a new contract.
Although the Ivory Coast international has been a regular fixture on the right side of defence since his arrival, he was forced to share time with Belgian international Thomas Meunier last season, prompting him to seek pastures anew.
Tottenham are in desperate need of a full-back after selling Kyle Walker to Manchester City for £50m. Kieran Trippier is currently the club’s first choice right-back, while they only have teenager Kyle Walker-Peters as cover.
Aurier has pace, power and a great attacking threat which will make him one of the most ideal replacements for Walker, thus making Spurs a viable destination. However, the Ivorian seems intent on a move to Old Trafford instead.
Manchester United currently have Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian, although Jose Mourinho has preferred playing the Italian on the left side of defence. Signing a quality right-back has, thus, been a priority for the Portuguese manager this summer and Aurier can easily make the cut.
The Red Devils were also linked with AS Monaco’s Fabinho for a long time, but Aurier can prove to be a cheaper alternative. It remains to be seen if Mourinho is able to bring the right-back to Old Trafford this summer after already signing Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku, as well as Zlatan Ibrahimovic.