Tottenham fans are demanding an explanation from our landlord, with the Transfer Tavern awash with rumours of Barcelona targeting defender Kyle Walker.
Our landlord doesn’t know too much about it – he’s been busy pouring rounds of ale all day – but London Evening Standard claim the England international is on Barca’s shortlist of potential right-back targets for the summer.
The Spanish giants are yet to truly replace Dani Alves, who was a defining feature of both their attacking and defensive play before moving to Juventus in summer 2016.
LES admit it could prove difficult to prize Walker away from White Hart Lane because he’s on a long-term contract. But we are talking about one of the biggest clubs in world football and one of the greatest attacking sides of all time.
That could spell trouble for the Lilywhites come the end of the campaign but fear not; the Transfer Tavern is always here to help. Our landlord has outlined three replacements Mauricio Pochettino must consider if Walker leaves for the Nou Camp.
Which of these three can fill Walker’s void, Spurs fans? Do you have a better suggestion? Let us know by commenting below!
Cedric Soares
Cedric Soares may lack Kyle Walker’s penetrative pace on the overlap but he’s a solid, all-round full-back who makes important contributions in both attack and defence.
This season, the Portuguese has averaged 2.8 tackles, 1.6 accurate crosses and 1.6 created chances per match for a Southampton side with the second-best goals conceded record in the bottom half after Middlesbrough.
He also meets that perfect equilibrium of age and experience; a Euro 2016 winner with Portugal yet not due to turn 26 until the start of next season. Under contract until 2020, however, Southampton have no reason to let him leave on the cheap.
Serge Aurier
Serge Aurier is a fantastic talent, the epitome of the modern day full-back, but is no longer a guaranteed starter at PSG due to the rise of Thomas Meunier, who was exceptional against Barcelona last week.
The Ivory Coast international can operate down the flank in defence or midfield and combines stocky physicality with output in the final third, amassing four assists already this term despite sharing No.2 duties with the aforementioned Meunier.
His contract will reach that all-important two years remaining mark in the summer, so a decent bid could well convince the Parisians to sell.
Djibril Sidibe
One of the standout stars of a Monaco side that has scored the most goals of any team in Europe this season and almost caused a huge shockwave in the Champions League against Manchester City earlier this week, Djibril Sidibe is probably already on the radars of several Premier League clubs.
He’s been fielded as a full-back on both sides and as a right midfielder this term and combines natural athleticism with a real willingness to get forward, averaging 1.8 created chances and 1.7 dribbles per match in the Champions League whilst notching up four assists in Ligue 1.
Aged 24 and now in the France fold, Sidibe appears on the verge of his footballing peak but Spurs will undoubtedly be rivalled if they table an offer this summer.
