Tottenham signing Atal would likely push Walker-Peters further down pecking order

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Tottenham are among the clubs keen on signing Nice right-back Youcef Atal this summer, according to the Daily Telegraph.

They report that Spurs are keen on the versatile defender – who can also play in a wide midfield role – who will cost around £34m in the forthcoming transfer window.

Neither Kieran Trippier nor Serge Aurier has been particularly impressive this season, and recently central defender Juan Foyth has been getting games at right back as well.

That doesn’t bode well for English prospect Kyle Walker-Peters, who is slipping further down the pecking order.

Back in December, Mauricio Pochettino made it clear to the Times how much he rates Walker-Peters, but he hasn’t come through with enough gametime to prove it thereafter.

Atal and Walker-Peters are both 22 years old, and the arrival of a big-money player of the same age in his position isn’t going to fill the academy graduate with much confidence.

Even if Trippier, Aurier or both leave in the summer, Walker-Peters may still be on the back foot in terms of forcing his way into the side.

It’s not quite clear why Pochettino hasn’t handed him more chances this season – form and fitness have created opportunities for the Argentine – and perhaps Atal’s arrival would be the hammer blow.