Does Aurier have alternatives besides playing for Nuno at Spurs?
The Ivorian wants to leave the North London side, but little or no interest in his services mean he could feature for the new Tottenham trainer  Making an effort to keep a wantaway player is often seen as a fools errand, especially if there have been public comments from the subject regarding his future. Serge Aurier is mostly misunderstood  in fairness his lengthy rap sheet doesnt help  and his comments over wanting a move away from Tottenham Hotspur were either met with indifference or relief over the Ivory Coast captain's possible departure. Given the possibilities that exist for the North London giants if the 28-year-old right-back departs, supporters wont lose sleep if a sale eventually materialises. Everyone is aware that if I wanted to extend my deal at Tottenham, I wouldve done so already. Im not going to do it in six months, he told LEquipe in May. Ive reached the end of a cycle and its time to look elsewhere. "The two parties, Tottenhams board and my agents, have agreed upon the conditions. Well see after that. Ive never hidden my desire to return to Paris Saint-Germain one day. Its the club of my heart, the one that I support, and I feel free to speak about it.  A move to PSG is now uncertain, following Achraf Hakimis transfer to the Ligue 1 giants on Tuesday. Unless Mauricio Pochettino fancies a backup at right-back or right wing-back and the finances in transfer fee and players wage demands are right, a move to his old side seems impossible. With Tottenhams extended and seemingly unending managerial search finally over with Nuno Espirito Santos appointment, nearly three months after Jose Mourinhos departure, the previous uncertainty surrounding incomings and outgoings should make way for transfer activity in the coming weeks. While Harry Kanes future offers the most intrigue, Spurs also need to consider the futures of other saleable assets in the squad. With Aurier now entering his final year, the club has a decision to make: keep the right-back for the final 12 months of his contract or sell for a cut-price fee. The defenders willingness to consider other clubs if PSG show no interest in bringing him back to Paris at least offers hope to last years beaten League Cup finalists. I dont want people to think that Im stuck on [PSG] and Im not closing the door on anyone, the West African stated, "but if the club were to make an offer this summer, its sure that PSG would be my first choice.  Nunos team have been linked with moves for Brighton & Hove Albions Tariq Lamptey whose incisive ball-carrying and potential was witnessed in his debut campaign under Graham Potter. A move for highly rated Norwich City right-back Max Aarons has been mooted but either will depend on shifting Aurier or other fringe players in the squad. If the 28-year-old is unable to secure a move away, the Lilywhites will be forced to get creative by selling another fringe member of the squad to buy another wide defender, although the sense in having three right-backs in the squad may discourage that approach. The final option, possibly fans last resort, will be keeping Aurier and Matt Doherty to continue vying for a place in the side and then revisit the situation in 12 months when the Ivorian leaves on a free. Given the Portugueses history at Wolves, theres an expectation that Tottenham will switch to a three-man defence in 2021/22, although Nuno did try to play a back four at times in 20/21. While hes also hinted that his approach may differ at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Dohertys preference for right wing-back and the pairs prior working relationship may prompt a shift to that system. The Republic of Ireland international couldnt deliver the strong performances that made Mourinho bring him to the club, and his replacement will now try to harness the 29-year-olds characteristics in his best role and position. Where this leaves Aurier remains to be seen, but the early months after Mourinho took over from Mauricio Pochettino saw the former Chelsea boss utilise the West African differently. A noteworthy feature in Mourinhos first Spurs game  a 3-2 win over West Ham United  was the Ivorian seemingly taking up higher positions in a front five with the ball, as the North London side looked to attack in a 3-2-5.  Goal Africa (@GoalAfrica) July 8, 2021  Aurier taking up adventurous positions became a theme of the clubs attack for the remainder of last season, ultimately leading to a goal and four assists in the league after the change in the dugout. Having set up only one strike up to Pochettinos dismissal, the former PSG man was involved in five goals, taking his total goal contributions to sixhis highest return for the club. There was also that clutch showing in the dramatic comeback win over Olympiacos in the Champions League where the nominal right-back  operating as a wing-back and winger  did damage to the Greek side. While he reckons he has reached the end of the line in North London, having Aurier play out the final season of his contract at Spurs may not be as bad an idea as it seems on the face of it.