“They’re grasping at straws” – Pundit reacts to Spurs’ rumoured asking price for defender

Former Coventry City striker Noel Whelan has blasted the rumoured £35million price tag that Tottenham Hotspur have put on Serge Aurier’s head.

Aurier has been a regular at right-back since Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Spurs in November.

While there have been improvements to the Ivorian’s game going forward, his occasional defensive lapses have continued to cost the team, notably in the Champions League

Reports indicate that Tottenham are ready to sell the former PSG man as they look to bring in an upgrade at right-back.

The Mirror claimed that the Lilywhites are demanding £35million for the 27-year-old, who they signed for £23million back in the summer of 2017.

Whelan believes that Spurs are not going to get anywhere near £35m for Aurier on the back of his performances in North London and suggested that the defender was only worth around £20million.

When asked about the rumoured price tag, the pundit told Football Insider: “It’s a lot of money for a player that’s not really hit the heights.

“I think they’re grasping at straws with that, Tottenham. It’s certainly not going to be for £35million.

“I think it’s going to be more around the £20-22million, to be honest – if that. I think if you can get close to what you paid, that’s a good bit of business.

“That’s what you’ve got to look at – when someone’s not worked out at a football club and not played up to the standard you’re expecting, if you can still get close to what you paid for, that’s decent business because his performances could go down to about £15million and then you are taking a bigger hit.”

Spurs Web Opinion

There is simply no way we are getting £35m for Aurier, particularly given the depreciated market as a result of the pandemic. In fact, I believe that we will probably sell if we receive our money back on him. It is vital that Levy does not price our players out of the market this summer, especially since we need to raise funds to go after our targets.

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