90min

Milan Open Talks With Tottenham for 'Main Target' Serge Aurier

By James Cormack

Serge Aurier has emerged as a target for Milan
Serge Aurier has emerged as a target for Milan / Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Milan have entered the race for Tottenham's Serge Aurier and have identified the Ivorian as their 'main target' for a new right-back this summer.

With the Rossoneri failing to qualify for next season's Champions League despite a great run of form after the restart, the prospect of losing either Andrea Conti or Davide Calabria - their two favoured options at right-back - is genuine and the club will be in search of a replacement should either one of them depart.

The Rossoneri may be forced to replace Andrea Conti this summer
The Rossoneri may be forced to replace Andrea Conti this summer / Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano reports that Milan have already opened talks with Spurs over a potential move, with a fee in the region of €12m to €15m being discussed.

Aurier joined Spurs in the summer of 2017 as a replacement for Kyle Walker – who had joined Manchester City in a then record-breaking deal – but has failed to convince during his three-year stint thus far.

While he's capable of producing moments of magic, the Ivorian's impulsive nature and uncanny knack of committing costly errors mean he certainly cuts a divisive figure - at best - among the Lilywhite faithful.

He almost left the club at the end of last season following a campaign in which he played second-fiddle to Kieran Trippier. But the Englishman's departure to Atletico Madrid in the summer convinced him to stay and the 27-year-old - who recently displayed tremendous courage to finish off the Premier League campaign despite the tragic passing of his brother - has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence under Jose Mourinho following his arrival last November.

Aurier has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence under Jose Mourinho
Aurier has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence under Jose Mourinho / Julian Finney/Getty Images

Nevertheless, Spurs seem content at seeing him depart this summer - with his potential departure opening the door for the arrivals of possibly two right-backs in N17.

If Milan do want to acquire Aurier's services in the current window, however, they'll have to fight off interest from Monaco - whose recruitment is now overseen by Paul Mitchell, once of the Lilywhites.