Why Tottenham must snap up PSG’s Thomas Meunier on a free transfer
According to a report from Football.London, Tottenham will look at Paris Saint-Germain right-back Thomas Meunier if they are priced out for Norwich City’s Max Aarons.
Thomas Meunier, 28, joined Paris Saint-Germain from Club Brugge for a €7million fee in 2016 and has made 128 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants, claiming 13 goals and 21 assists.
However, the 28-year-old has started just 14 games in the French top flight this season, providing just one assist in the process. The right-back has also scored one goal in five Champions League matches for the French club so far this campaign.
Meunier’s contract with PSG is set to expire at the end of the season. And, with no breakthrough in contract talks, Meunier appears set to leave the club on a free transfer this summer (ESPN h/t Daily Mail).
While Tottenham’s top target for the right-back position is Max Aarons, a move for Meunier should be seen as a potential alternative.
Spurs have been undergoing a rebuild in the past two transfer windows, bringing in a plethora of young players, all aged 23 or under. They signed Giovani Lo Celso, Ryan Sessegnon, Tanguy Ndombele and Jack Clarke in the summer. Then in the January transfer window, the club added Gedson Fernandes on an 18-month loan from Benfica and winger Steven Bergwijn from PSV Eindhoven.
As far as the departures are concerned, Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose both left in January, with the latter joining Newcastle United on loan but could complete a permanent move in the summer. Jan Vertonghen is out of contract at the end of the season and with no breakthrough in contract talks, he could leave the club on a free transfer.
Tottenham have struggled defensively throughout the campaign and the potential exit of Vertonghen should leave a huge void in the squad. Jose Mourinho must plug the gap by signing a replacement for his ageing defender. The Portuguese tactician must also address his right-back problems in the summer transfer window.
Spurs only have Serge Aurier as a senior right-back, having allowed Kyle Walker-Peters to move to Southampton on loan in the January transfer window. Aurier’s career in north London has been marred with high-profile mistakes and blunders. Japhet Tanganga is an exciting talent, but he is more suited to playing in central defence rather than at right-back.
Having said that, it is crucial for Spurs to sign a new right-back and they would do a wise job by snapping up Thomas Meunier.
Meunier is a high-calibre player with plenty of experience at the highest level. As well as being great in defence, the Belgian is also a constant threat up the flank and in the final third of the pitch — as evidenced by his 13 goals and 21 assists for PSG.
He is a serial winner, having won the Belgian Pro League with Brugge in 2016 before lifting the French Ligue 1 title with PSG in 2018 and 2019, and also helping Belgium finish third in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Read More
- Why Tottenham signing Erling Haaland would be a massive statement of intent
- Why Tottenham should avoid the temptation of signing Daniel Sturridge on a free transfer
- Why Tottenham should do everything possible to sign Jamal Lewis
The Belgian international is extremely versatile as he can play as a wing-back on either flank, as a right-sided midfielder or further forward on the right. Such versatility would be extremely useful for Mourinho, who is one of the best tacticians in the game. Also, Meunier would be a good option to compete with Aurier, whilst adding strength to the right-back position.
Verdict
The 28-year-old is vastly experienced and would be a real coup for Spurs on a free transfer.
