AC Milan Technical Director Paolo Maldini has confirmed to Sky Sports Italia that his Serie A side are interested in a summer transfer of Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier.
Maldini has spoken with Sky Sports Italia following the climax of the Serie A campaign, which saw the Rossoneri finish in the Europa League Play-Off spot and 18-points behind champions Juventus.
Milan will now look into what areas of Stefano Pioli’s side need strengthening the most, with right-back one area they are expected to explore.
Aurier is believed to have been identified as a ‘suitable reinforcement’ for the role as Spurs value the Ivorian at around €15million (£13.4m), though no negotiations are yet underway between the two sides.
Maldini has confirmed that Milan held talks with Aurier’s agent a year ago and believed there was a chance of signing the 60-cap international.
“We had talked to his agent last year,” Maldini said. “There was a chance.
“Now let’s think about ending the season, then we will act on the market in the three weeks that the players will go on vacation.”
Tottenham have previously been reportedly open to parting company with Aurier this summer as the north London side look to raise funds for their own incomings, which could see the Ivory Coast international and teammate Kyle Walker-Peters both sold.
Aurier has also emerged as a potential transfer target for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco, who were claimed to have placed the 27-year-old on their shortlist as the Ligue 1 side eye a vast overhaul of the playing squad this summer.
Would Spurs regret selling Aurier this summer?
Yes
No
Selling Aurier and Walker-Peters would leave Tottenham with 21-year-old Japhet Tanganga as the natural first-choice, with no recognised senior right-back otherwise at the club.
The reports which claimed Spurs were open to cashing in on Aurier and Walker-Peters in the same window also suggested Mourinho’s side had considered Belgium international Thomas Meunier as a potential successor, however he has since joined Borussia Dortmund.
Other options who have since been put forward to be Mourinho’s new right-back include FC Metz’s Fabien Centonze, Olympique de Marseille’s Bouna Sarr and Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash, though no firm targets are seen on the radar.