Bayer Leverkusen have joined AC Milan in showing an interest in Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier during the summer transfer window, according to Sky Germany.
It is alleged Leverkusen have entered the race to sign Aurier this summer as the Ivorian’s future is almost certain to be away from north London, as Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is forcing him closer to the exit door than he is making plans to utilise the 27-year-old next term.
Any hopes of a move to the Bundesliga outfit hinge on Bayer promptly raising funds as Peter Bosz’s side must first offload players before any arrivals can join, with Kai Havertz’s expected move to Chelsea thought to be the most likely avenue after allegedly accepting a five-year contract offer.
Leverkusen must first sell to afford Aurier as Chairman Daniel Levy is firm in his position that the 60-cap right-back will only leave the club if Spurs receive a bid that matches his €15-20million (£13.5-£18m) valuation.
Levy stands in a strong position to hold out for the figure he desires as Aurier is also seen as a summer transfer target for AC Milan, who have had representatives in London throughout the week looking to thrash out a deal.
Milan chiefs are said to be working on the potential transfers of Aurier and Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko as one of the pair will be Stefano Pioli’s first additions to the Rossoneri.
Will Levy get his €15-20m for Aurier?
Yes
No
With Aurier falling out of favour with Mourinho, it is surely only a matter of time before the defender is offloaded amid the Euro-wide interest. But Levy’s firm resistance to accepting a low offer could see the transfer saga drag out over the coming weeks.
Spurs will need to sign a replacement right-back once a deal for Aurier is agreed, having sold Kyle Walker-Peters to Southampton for £12m on the same day as signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for £15m.
If no agreements can be made with Milan or Leverkusen, Mourinho may have no choice but to perform a U-turn and consider the Ivorian as his first-choice right-back once more.
Aurier featured in each of Tottenham’s Premier League fixtures since sitting out October’s defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, and enjoyed a consistent run in the starting line-up throughout the fixtures played following the restart.
The former PSG defender could not add to his five assists and one goal when the league campaign resumed, but ended the term as Tottenham’s second-most creative player and having delivered the third-most key balls – only behind Son Heung-Min (41) and Lucas Moura (35) – highlighting what Mourinho could soon be missing.