Report: Spurs believe Serge Aurier will stay this summer

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Tottenham Hotspur believe Serge Aurier will stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window, and also think he can provide cover at centre-back should they fail to make another signing, according to a report from The Mail on Sunday (4/10; page 143).

It has appeared for much of the summer as if Aurier would leave Spurs. The Sunday People (30/8; page 53) reported in August that Tottenham were prepared to use him in the deal that ultimately saw Matt Doherty arrive in North London.

Meanwhile, the same report noted that he was keen to move to AC Milan. So it certainly seemed unlikely that the Ivory Coast international would end the window as a Tottenham player.

However, it now appears that Aurier may actually go nowhere this summer.

According to The Mail on Sunday (4/10; page 143), Spurs now believe the right-back will stay.

Interestingly, the report also claims that Jose Mourinho sees the 27-year-old as someone who can provide cover in a more central role.

TBR View: Aurier better than most backup right-backs in the Premier League

It did appear that Spurs needed to sign a more consistent right-back this summer. Aurier – who earns £70,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – is capable of colossal performances, but he also susceptible to major errors.

But that is arguably why keeping him makes a lot of sense. With Doherty seemingly first-choice, it is surely fair to say that Aurier is significantly better than most backup right-backs in the league.

Of course, there may be concerns about the prospect of Aurier playing at centre-back. But it is a position that he has played before.

So it should not be a surprise if keeping Aurier proves a very smart decision from Tottenham this summer.