Tottenham Hotspur are close to signing Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier, according to the reports from French newspaper L’Equipe.
The transfer fee is reported to be £23million and the two clubs are said to be close to an agreement. There were reports earlier in the summer that personal terms between Spurs and Aurier were agreed.
This ought to be good news for Spurs fans who were frustrated with lack of transfer activity in the summer. Davinson Sanchez from Ajax looks all set to complete his move to North London, as the defender is reported to be having a medical today, according to Sky Sports. And the club have also signed goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton (BBC Sport).
The Ivory Coast international has had a controversial time in Paris as incidents on and off the field have marred his tenure. He was censured by the club for controversial remarks against his then coach Laurent Blanc on social media.
Then there was the controversy of assaulting a police officer outside a night club in Paris. Aurier spent a night in jail and was given a two-month suspension sentence too. This meant that he encountered Visa problems when PSG visited Arsenal for a Champions League match last season.
Any deal would obviously depend on how his case would go on and there is a mixed reaction among the fans on this news. Some of the fans are visibly excited that the club has finally got the ball rolling in the transfer market.
There was skepticism too, with some fans concerned about his past.
Here’s a look at the myriad of reactions on Twitter.
One fan thinks he is the perfect replacement for Kyle Walker who left in the summer to join Manchester City.
Aurier would be the perfect replacement for Walker, could even be an upgrade. Worth the risk IMO. Get it done @SpursOfficial
— Sean (@Tottingham_Sean) August 22, 2017
People saying we don’t have pulling power when we’re about to sign Aurier over Juve & Davinson over Barca lol
— alex (@thfcAlex) August 22, 2017
Another user was happy with the signing but was cautious about the risk.
Getting Aurier for half of what we got from Walker, seems great business. He is nearly equal & younger. But off field issues a risk, always
— Glenchez (@Glenlived) August 22, 2017
Here are some more reactions from the social media:
https://twitter.com/Pochspur/status/900007682731626496
So Spurs sell Walker and Wimmer for £65m buy Sanchez for £35m & 'are close' to Aurier deal with £10m to spare.. #LevyTime #COYS💙 pic.twitter.com/gI3kbgCfdB
— • dave ellis • (@fullback03) August 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/SebC__/status/900314469632528384
.@Serge_aurier if you come to Tottenham, we'll support you and back you, but if you won't behave we will get you kicked out! /LKK-mob
— Ledley Kings Knä (@LedleyKingsKna) August 22, 2017
https://youtu.be/FsjIqTzkLoU