Serge Aurier is set to remain at Tottenham Hotspur past deadline day as a frest twist has emerged on his future...

What's the word?

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast earlier today, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge revealed that the 28-year-old right-back was a player that Spurs were very keen to move on.

That should hardly come as a surprise as the north Londoners are on the verge of sealing Emerson from Barcelona in a €30m (£25.7m) deal, a move that would take Nuno Santo's right-back options up to four.

 

“Aurier’s the one they want out. There’s a lot of people working on it, trying to get him out," the journalist told FFC. "Genuinely, all they can, so that’s the one they’re looking to get out."

However, in a new twist, it seems as if the Ivory Coast international will remain a Tottenham player until at least January.

According to Foot Mercato editor-in-chief Sebastien Denis, Aurier is set to stay at Spurs despite last-minute interest from unnamed teams.

Fresh twist

During an interview with L'Equipe back in May, the former Paris Saint-Germain star made his intentions very clear that he wanted to leave the club this summer.

"Everyone knows that if I wanted to extend my contract at Tottenham, I'd have already done so," he said. "I'm not going to do that in six months' time. I've experienced the Premier League and a Champions League final. I've reached the end of a cycle and it's time to look elsewhere."

It's no wonder that Nuno Santo is yet to select him for any of their matches in any competition so far. Hotspur Way academy product Japhet Tanganga has been the first-choice for the time being. Whether Emerson's arrival changes that very much remains to be seen.

Aurier's time in north London has been troubled by controversy. He was fined for breaching the country's lockdown regulations for a third time last year, whilst ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara has previously lambasted him as an "absolute liability" on the pitch.

He's also a player that has regular faced the brunt of criticism from supporters and many certainly wanted to see the back of him before tonight's 11pm deadline.

Amid reports linking him with an exit earlier this week, fans were pleading with the club to get rid of him. "Please go" and "Music to my ears" were just two reactions, as relayed by This is Futbol.

Therefore, they will not be best pleased with this latest development. Aurier and his reported £120k-per-week wages will now be burning a hole in the club's pockets as it's clear he is not first or second choice heading into the remainder of the season.

AND in other news, Spurs can end deadline day with a bang by signing £40m "machine", Nuno and Paratici love him...