Manchester United Transfer News: Fresh Serge Aurier and Elseid Hysaj Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly looking to strengthen their options at right-back, as the Red Devils have been linked with moves for Paris Saint-Germain’s Serge Aurier and Napoli man Elseid Hysaj.

According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, United have “stepped up” their pursuit of Aurier ahead of the January transfer window after watching him in action for the Ivory Coast national team against France on Tuesday.

In the report, it’s suggested that United may have to part with around £18 million if they want to secure the 23-year-old. Here’s a look at why he could be worth the outlay:

In terms of his capabilities as a player, Aurier has many strengths. Since joining PSG from Toulouse on loan in 2014 and then on a permanent deal in 2015, he’s been a bundle of energy on the right flank. Aurier poses a huge threat going forward with his incisive and powerful running, although is not a full-back who totally abandons his defensive duties.

While he may be a fine player and a potential upgrade for United, the right-back has something of a chequered past off the field.

As noted by McDonnell, earlier in the year PSG suspended him after he made derogatory remarks on social media about former manager Laurent Blanc. In addition, Aurier was also sentenced to two months in prison recently after he was found guilty of assaulting a police offer in Paris.

Per Canal+ (h/t football journalist Sergi Dominguez) Aurier has been linked with Barcelona in the past:

The Red Devils reportedly have other options to consider, too, though. According to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star, Hysaj is also a target for United manager Jose Mourinho.

In the piece, it’s suggested the Portuguese is ready to ship out Chris Smalling and Matteo Darmian, potentially paving the way for the Albania international to arrive at Old Trafford. Cross added that the Napoli man could cost around £25 million to prise away from the San Paolo.

Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

Hysaj has made tremendous progress since joining Napoli. During the 2015-16 season, he excelled for the Partenopei and continued his encouraging form with some impressive displays for the national team at the summer’s UEFA European Championship. 

As such, it was no great surprise to see the defender handed an extended contract with Napoli recently. ESPN FC’s David Amoyal believes Hysaj is already one of the best in his position in Italian football:

Early in his managerial tenure, Mourinho used Antonio Valencia in the right-back spot. The Ecuador international performed well in the role, but he’s not a specialist in the position and still shows signs of naivety in his defensive work. A recent injury to Valencia has seen Darmian fill in for the previous two Premier League matches.

Given the options currently available to the Red Devils boss, it’s no great surprise to see full-backs linked to the club. Here’s how Aurier, Hysaj and Valencia all compare in league matches this term:

	Aurier	Hysaj	Valencia
Apps (Sub)	6	9 (1)	9
Goals	0	0	0
Assists	2	0	0
Dribbles per game	1.3	1.6	1.8
Key passes per game	1	0.6	1.1
Tackles per game	2.5	1.9	2.9
Interceptions per game	1.3	0.9	2.1

Aurier is an outstanding full-back and would offer a similarly energetic presence to Valencia if he was to come in. If Mourinho feels as though he can keep the defender focused on football and out of trouble off the pitch, a fee of £18 million in the current market would represent a fine piece of business by the Red Devils.

Hysaj may not be quite as dynamic as the PSG man, but he continues to go about his business at Napoli with an unerring consistency and concentration. Given he’s just agreed to a new long-term contract and there’d be no pressure on the Serie A side to cash in, the Albanian would potentially be a costly acquisition.