da doce： Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to be stepping up his efforts to sign a new right-back this summer with the Evening Standard claiming the club is interested in Ajax’s Joel Veltman, while French media outlet RMC Sport claim that Spurs have made an enquiry for Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier.
da bet vitoria： With Kyle Walker continuing to be linked with a move to Manchester City, the Spurs boss obviously feels that he needs to provide more cover in that position for Kieran Trippier next season if the 27-year-old does go as the north London outfit once again look to compete for the Premier League title, as well as progress through the group stages of the Champions League.
While Trippier performed admirably against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and Arsenal in the final ever north London derby at White Hart Lane having been preferred to Walker, Pochettino must believe that he needs another body to compete with the former Burnley man.
Veltman looks set to leave Ajax this summer after helping them reach the Europa League final, while Aurier has turned his PSG career around following a number of issues and Unai Emery is keen to extend the Ivory Coast international’s current deal.
Here are three reasons Tottenham should sign Veltman over Aurier…
Price tag
Because his contract is due to run out next summer and there is little chance of him signing a new one, it is suggested that Veltman could be available for just £8m this summer.
Considering the 25-year-old is entering his prime, has made 166 appearances for the Dutch giants and picked up 16 caps for the Netherlands, that isn’t bad at all.
Meanwhile, Aurier’s current deal is due to run out in 2019 but following some positive performances and some good behaviour, PSG want to keep him and that can only raise the price tag on his head.
Versatility
While Veltman has proved that he is a very competent right-back during his time with Ajax, the fact that he can also play centre-back may make him more of an attractive opposition than Aurier, who usually only plays as a full-back on either flank.
Pochettino could be looking to bring in a new centre-half this summer to provide further cover for Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld – especially with the latter’s future far from certain as he is yet to sign a new contract – and Veltman would do that.
In the closing stages of this season the Argentine boss deployed the 3-4-2-1 formation with Eric Dier joining the Belgian duo in the backline, but if he wants a more natural fit then Veltman could be the answer.
The Ajax link
After signing Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen from Ajax in recent years – and with both going on to be a huge success at White Hart Lane – it is clear that there is a good relationship between Tottenham and the Eredivisie giants.
Of course, Alderweireld also learnt his trade with the Dutch club and there is no doubt that Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino know that they are getting a quality player for their money.
That trust and rapport between the two clubs could mean that a move for Veltman will be easier to complete than one for Aurier.
Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.