According to The Athletic, Milan have pulled out of the race to sign Tottenham defender Serge Aurier this summer.

What's the word?

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away from north London all summer, with earlier reports claiming that the likes of Milan and Bayer Leverkusen were after his signature.

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Now, with The Athletic confirming that Wolves right-back Matt Doherty is closing in on a switch to Spurs, it is also revealed that Milan have pulled out of negotiations for the right-back.

The news comes just after Milan's sporting director, Frederic Massara, insisted that the "conditions" imposed on Aurier's transfer were far too restrictive, and thus making it too difficult for them to continue their pursuit.

Unforgivable from Levy

Whilst Daniel Levy playing hardball and getting the best possible deal can reap some rewards - reports are even claiming that Spurs are set to sign Doherty for around £15m (£5m less than the original asking price) - it can also have some major consequences too.

Aurier has been a player Spurs have been looking to move on all summer, and just when things seemed like they were beginning to pick up pace and that the former PSG right-back could finally be on his way out of the clubs, Levy's stubbornness has come back to haunt them.

With around a couple of weeks before the start of the new Premier League season, Levy's penny-pinching over the £70k-a-week defender means Jose Mourinho could well have an unwanted player during first-team training. And if Leverkusen don't follow up their own interest in Aurier, then Spurs may have to contend with the Ivorian simply staying put in north London.

So whilst Doherty's signing may be a major plus point, Levy's handling of Aurier's exit is something unforgivable.