Barcelona Transfer News: Joao Cancelo, Serge Aurier, Cedric Soares Rumours

Barcelona will reportedly sign a replacement right-back during the winter transfer window, with Valencia's Joao Cancelo, Paris Saint-Germain's Serge Aurier and Southampton's Cedric Soares all touted as possible recruits.

Aleix Vidal has been cast to the side by manager Luis Enrique this season after only officially registering for the club in January 2016, and Spanish daily Sport outlined the aforementioned trio as Barca's top targets.

Of the three full-backs, Cancelo perhaps makes the most sensible target considering he already has more than two years of experience in La Liga—first moving to Valencia on loan from Benfica in 2014 before making the move permanent last year.

However, Los Che manager Cesare Prandelli has addressed rumours linking his defender with a move to the Camp Nou and is disregarding any speculation of a January transfer

Per Dario Puig of Spanish newspaper Marca, Prandelli said:

"

At this moment in time we're not contemplating that [rumour]. 

We have great players, but I don't speak about the transfer market. Cancelo is an important, young, and great player who can play in a variety of positions. So [the interest in him] is normal.

"

Sergi Roberto has lined up on the right side of Enrique's back four this term in the absence of 2015 signing Vidal, although the converted midfielder may not offer the same attacking threat Aurier could bring to the team.

PSG's Ivory Coast international has settled in well since moving to Parc des Princes from Toulouse last year, and Barca could have an in after French football expert Jonathan Johnson reported his future in Paris may be in doubt:

The Blaugrana's reported pursuit of Aurier could be helped by the fact his time in the French capital hasn't come without controversy, having most recently been served a two-month jail term pending appeal, per BBC News.

One thing for certain is Vidal stands a chance of departing the Camp Nou this winter after Enrique opted not to utilise the player, and ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan was always sceptical of his move from Sevilla:

The last member of the trio associated with a January move to Catalonia's powerhouse is Southampton-based Cedric, who is still a new face to the Premier League after only moving to St Mary's Stadium in 2015.

The Portugal international has missed nine games for the Saints after suffering a foot injury in early October, detailed by Transfermarkt, although recent Twitter activity suggested he's keen to get back in action for manager Claude Puel:

Portuguese duo Cancelo and Cedric could be more sensible choices for investment given players from that stretch of the Iberian peninsula have a record of thriving in La Liga, not to mention the fact compatriot Andre Gomes is already at the Camp Nou.

Spanish radio station Cope Valencia (h/t Sport) recently reported Barca are already in talks with Cancelo's representative, super agent Jorge Mendes, but convincing cash-rich Valencia to sell in January may be an uphill struggle.