Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Aymen Abdennour and Alen Halilovic Rumours

Barcelona could be close to signing Monaco's Aymen Abdennour, per the latest rumours.

According to L'Equipe (via Tom Conn of Inside Spanish Football), Abdennour's "representatives arrived at [Barcelona] to discuss a possible transfer" on Thursday.

Per Conn's report, the Tunisian's agent, Abdelkader Jilani, claimed in a recent interview that Barcelona were one of a number of clubs pursuing his client:

"There are several clubs we’ve spoken to. Inter and Milan in Italy, Barcelona in Spain and then Juventus, who held a meeting with Monaco. But I don’t think Monaco is opposed to selling him."

Bleacher Report's own Jonathan Johnson summarised L'Equipe's report:

According to Squawka, Abdennour won an impressive 66 per cent of his duels in Ligue 1 last season, including 71 per cent of his tackles and 68 per cent of his aerial battles.

WhoScored.com highlights the 25-year-old's ability to maintain possession with his accurate passing and illustrated the all-action displays of which Abdennour is capable:

Abdennour's arrival would ease the load on Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu, both of whom are now 31, and free up the former to feature in his more natural position in midfield.

With the prospect of being able to loan the defender back to Monaco until January, a move seems likely. 

West Ham United Pursue Alen Halilovic

According to Jamie Sanderson of Metro, citing "reports in Croatian outlet Vecernji," West Ham United are hoping to sign Barcelona B's Alen Halilovic for £4.2 million.

The 19-year-old scored four goals and laid on one assist last season, and as the Guardian's Aleksandar Holiga noted back in 2014, "really has that something special about him and could become one of the best players in the world in the coming years."

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Despite his potential, Barca are well stocked in the attacking-midfielder department, so first-team opportunities at Camp Nou are likely to be limited for the time being.

At West Ham, under the tutelage of compatriot Slaven Bilic, Halilovic would likely enjoy more opportunities to shine.

With the acquisition of creative players such as Dimitri Payet this summer, the Hammers appear to be moving away from former manager Sam Allardyce's direct style of play, meaning the stage is set for Halilovic to stake a claim for a place in a new-look West Ham side.

As they prepare to move into the Olympic Stadium in 2016, there is a feeling of optimism around the club.

If they can sign promising young stars such as Halilovic, that is only set to continue as West Ham begin an exciting new chapter in their history.