Tottenham round-up: 20-year-old defender linked; losing Aurier race; interest in PSG midfielder

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According to reports in the Daily Mail late on Monday night, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is considering a surprise swoop for Bayer Leverkusen full-back Benjamin Henrichs.

The versatile 20-year-old has impressed in recent seasons in the Bundesliga, with his solid performances earning himself a call-up for Germany’s FIFA Confederations Cup squad last month.

It is understood that Henrichs’ representatives are keen on discussing a switch to the Premier League, although Tottenham would have to meet the £18million valuation put on the German.

Henrichs made 29 Bundesliga appearances and was a stand-out man for Leverkusen during a disappointing season, completing 64% of his attempted take-ons and managing a couple of assists.

Improving their right-back options seems like a popular topic of speculation today, but the Independent believe that Tottenham are set to miss out on Paris Saint-Germain’s Serge Aurier.

Reports on Tuesday morning claimed that Manchester United are closing in on securing the signature of the Ivorian defender with personal terms already agreed between club and player.

American news outlet ESPN had exclusively reported a fortnight ago that Spurs – along with United and Inter Milan – were monitoring the 24-year-old’s situation, but it seems like the race is now over.

Opportunities of first-team football at PSG look slim for Aurier next season after the arrival of veteran right-back Dani Alves, and the maverick defender told the club he wants to leave in summer.

Lastly, reports surfacing from Italy over the past day believe that Tottenham are still firmly in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

The 22-year-old, according to Tuttormercato Web, is also a target for Italian giants Juventus and Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal after a string of noteworthy displays in Ligue 1 last season.

Despite being under contract in the French capital until June 2019 it is thought that an offer in the region of €22.5 million (£20.1 million) could begin to persuade PSG into allowing enquiries for Rabiot.

The French midfielder featured regularly in PSG’s first-team last season, making 27 Ligue 1 appearances and five in the Champions League, and he scored five goals across all competitions.