Paris Saint Germain right back Serge Aurier would still prefer a move to Manchester United this summer despite reportedly reaching an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports.
The Ivorian, who made 81 appearances for the French side over four campaigns, has been on Jose Mourinho’s radar for some time this summer as the United boss looks to bolster his options at full-back. Spurs have likewise been in the market to secure a replacement for Kyle Walker, who joined Manchester City earlier this summer, and have reportedly agreed a fee to sign the defender for £23m over the next few days after failing to land Porto’s Ricardo Pereira – their first choice option.
However, the move is being held up amid issues surrounding his entry into the UK. The 24-year-old was arrested last September on assault charges and handed a two month “convertible” sentence that he is unlikely to ever serve. In response, the Home Office refused to let him travel with the PSG squad for their Champions League group stage clash with Arsenal in November and any move to the Premier League – which requires a working visa – has been held up by this conviction. A decision by the Home Office will be made imminently with the transfer window closing on Thursday. If Aurier receives the green light it would be on an “exceptional basis” given that, under normal circumstances, anybody with a prison sentence would have to wait five years for a working visa in the UK.
Such mitigating circumstances have held up the move going through and that could help United in their pursuit of a fourth signing. According to IBTimes’ Naveen Ullal, Aurier would still prefer to join up with Mourinho and the 54-year-old may be tempted to hijack the move – Willian style – during the latter stages of the transfer window.
The Portuguese noted last season that Antonio Valencia – now 32 – cannot play every single game this season and, with Matteo Darmian considered more of a left back, landing the indefatigable right back would reduce Valencia’s workload this season and give United a different dynamic moving forward.
2 replies on “PSG defender would prefer Manchester United move despite advanced Spurs talks”
Tottenham, you are going to be hijacked by Man. United. What ever happens Aurier will join the red shits. That’s where he wants to go anyway.
Take him, United. Pay £23m for this 24 year old (mid 20s, so he’s about peaked out) 3rd choice PSG right back. Why Spurs are after him, I really can’t work out. But wait. Oh yes, that’s right ..we sold a genuine world class right back to Man City, who, if he’d gone to PSG would likely have been ahead of Alves and Meunier, thus pushing Auriel or Aruier or Aurier or whoever he is (?) into 4th place! But hey ..if Spurs get him for £23m, or United as he seems a fan, that’s good business, right?! So most deluded Spurs fans think anyway ..I can’t speak for Utd fans! What idiots we are at Tottenham for selling Walker, ruining our 3-5-2 system (because Trippier and Davis can’t do what Rose and Walker could in that system) and then thinking we can get anyone remotely close to replacing him!!