Reports that Tottenham Hotspur right-back Serge Aurier will imminently return to Paris Saint-Germain are wide of the mark, according to Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, but the Lilywhites are plotting to replace him immediately if he departs.

The lowdown

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti claimed on Sunday night that Aurier 'will be a new PSG player' after Spurs received an offer of €20million.

Aurier is said to be keen to leave North London this summer, four years on from his arrival.

The Ivorian has played 110 games for the club, scoring eight times and providing 17 assists.

Jamie Carragher was scathing in his criticism of Aurier after Spurs were beaten in the Carabao Cup final, calling him 'one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football' given his penchant for 'crazy' decisions.

The latest

While a switch to PSG is not thought to be on the immediate horizon, Aurier wants the move and Spurs won't stand in his way if a suitable bid arrives, claims Gold.

The club would then 'quickly put plans in motion' to recruit a replacement full-back.

Aurier is one of the players who's been told that he can move on, and his agent has been instructed to help arrange a move, but nothing is ready to go yet.

The verdict

This is nothing but sensible from Spurs. Aurier frankly isn't a player they can rely on, and it seems his heart lies elsewhere anyway.

Equally, though, they will need to bring in a quality replacement, because Matt Doherty isn't an inspiring alternative. It sounds like they're ready to move on shortlisted targets, but selling Aurier first tells and club they want to shop at to drive the price up.

One of those targets may be Lille's title-winner Zeki Celik, who would be a great addition. Spurs' aim should be to raise enough funds through Aurier's sale that they don't need to eat into their existing budget to snap up the Turkey international.

In other news, Noel Whelan reacted to a potentially 'desperate' move from Spurs.