Barcelona Transfer News: Serge Aurier Contact Reportedly Made, Latest Rumours

Serge Aurier has emerged as a serious transfer target for Barcelona, according to Canal Plus (h/t Lluis Miguelsanz for Sport).

France Football has since confirmed the rumours and even said that Aurier’s agent, Stephan Courbis, travelled to Barcelona to negotiate a deal, as reported by Sport on Twitter:

The 23-year-old right-back has been in impressive form for Paris Saint-Germain this term despite the club’s difficult start to the domestic season. Unai Emery’s side is six points off the top spot in Ligue 1 and will be keen to hang on to one of their key players.

Barcelona are in need of a right-back following Dani Alves’ transfer to Juventus in the summer. Manager Luis Enrique has converted midfielder Sergi Roberto into a right-back, but the club’s recent defensive problems suggest he may not be a suitable replacement for the Brazilian.

Barcelona have conceded nine goals in their last six matches, including a damaging 4-3 defeat to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Oct. 2 and a 3-1 loss against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

According to Canal Plus (h/t TalkSport), Barcelona were interested in signing Aurier as long ago as February, with City also rumoured to be in the market for the Ivorian. He made headlines that month when the club suspended the defender after he directed homophobic remarks toward then-PSG manager Laurent Blanc, as per Simon Rice for The Independent.

Dave Thompson/Associated Press

The controversy continued when Aurier was arrested for hitting a police officer outside a nightclub in May, as per AFP (h/t Sky Sports).

Aurier is a powerful defensive player but is not too dissimilar to Alves. The Ivory Coast international has an excellent first touch and loves to drive forward, which would fit neatly with Barcelona’s aggressive attacking style.

Barca are also interested in signing Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, per Greg Mitchinson for ESPN FC, having recently been linked with Premier League peers Nathaniel Clyne and Glen Johnson.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

The Catalan club’s vice president, Jordi Mestre, appeared to confirm the club’s interest in Bellerin in September when he responded to rumours by saying, per Sport (h/t Tom Olver for Metro): “He’s a great player. There’s no doubt about that."

Thus the PSG star is seemingly not the only full-back on the Barcelona’s radar.

Bellerin and Aurier are both quick, attack-minded footballers, but the Arsenal man's Premier League experience makes him the more robust choice—Aurier is largely untested outside of French football.

If he can stay away from controversy, Aurier would be a good signing for a Barcelona team clearly short in the right-back position. He would likely be a cheaper option than Bellerin and could help propel Barcelona back up the league table.