Reports from France indicate that Barcelona are interested in Paris Saint-Germain’s Serge Aurier, ahead of a potential transfer in January.
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The Catalonians may well be in search of a new right-back next season, with Brazil international Dani Alves stalling on agreeing new terms with the club, according to Le 10 Sport.
The 32-year-old’s current deal comes to an end on June 30, and he has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, with Manchester United, Manchester City [both the Mirror] and PSG [Sport] all believed to be eyeing the two-time Champions League winner.
Should Alves leave this summer, Barcelona — who are banned from registering new players until 2016 — would not be able to replace him until January.
However, according to Le Parisien, they are already making plans for his succession, and are targeting Aurier as a solution to the right-back situation. The former Toulouse man, for his part, may find his place at the Parc des Princes under threat should Alves make the switch to Paris.
The Ivorian moved to Laurent Blanc’s side in July, following an impressive World Cup, on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy [via PSG.fr].
Despite an unconvincing campaign — piqued by injury and off-field issues — PSG moved to complete a permanent move for the Ivorian in April [via Sky Sports].
Aurier impressed at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, as the Cote d’Ivoire lifted the continental crown, but has struggled to displace Gregory van der Wiel in the PSG starting XI despite some indifferent performances from the Dutchman.
22-year-old Aurier has managed 14 appearances in the French top flight this season, contributing five assists. He possesses the same athletic physique and the zest for attacking player that has so marked Alves’s seven years of service at Barcelona.