TOTTENHAM are bracing themselves for transfer bids for Serge Aurier after Bayer Leverkusen reportedly joined the race.
The right-back, 27, is also wanted by AC Milan in a summer swoop, according to Sky Sports.
Serge Aurier is a summer transfer target for Bayer Leverkusen and AC MilanCredit: PA:Press Association
Milan technical director Paolo Maldini confirmed his club held talks with Aurier’s agent last year while reports suggest they may make another move this summer.
Now Leverkusen have joined the race with Spurs thought to be open to selling the Ivorian if the right offer comes in.
Aurier still has two seasons remaining on the five-year contract he signed at White Hart Lane in 2017.
He arrived from Paris Saint-Germain for £22.5million but initially struggled for game time with Kieran Trippier the first choice.
Even with Trippier sold, though, Mauricio Pochettino was not convinced enough to play him but he got a better run in the side under Jose Mourinho.
Of his 83 Spurs appearances, 42 came last season including 33 in the Premier League.
But while it was a better season on the pitch, the Aurier family suffered the tragic loss of Serge’s brother Christopher, who was shot dead in July.
Should he stay at Spurs, he will continue to compete with Japhet Tanganga for a spot in the side after the young defender, who can play at centre-back or right-back, penned a new five-year deal.
Juan Foyth – another versatile defender – is another option but he was frozen out by Mourinho and could leave, with Leeds interested in the Argentine.
But Kyle Walker-Peters did depart the club as he made his loan to Southampton permanent.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg moved in the opposite direction on the same day.
After struggling under Mauricio Pochettino, Aurier has thrived far more with Jose Mourinho in chargeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
