Serge Aurier (Toulouse)

Seeing as both full back positions were our greatest areas for concern last season, the imminent arrival of Moreno to cover the left flank I wonder what the consensus is for the right flank.

Do we keep Johnson with Flanno as cover; do we play Flanno with Johnson as cover or should we dispose with Johnson altogether and buy someone else?

Recent rumours have us linked with hijacking Arsenal target Serge Aurier of Toulouse.

I actually think that at £9.8M this could be a savvy bit of business considering we're also being linked with Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne who is being touted circa £15M.

Liverpool could hijack deal for Arsenal's defensive target

Serge Aurier has long been a target for London club Arsenal, but now talks have stopped and Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in the defender.

Arsenal have been dealt a potential blow in the race for Toulouse FC defender Serge Aurier last night.

While speaking to national radio station RMC Sport, Aurier’s agent announced that there was no agreement with Arsenal for the 21-year-old, he admitted that there had been talks in the past, but talks were not currently ongoing.

To makes things worse, he revealed that they were in talks with another Premier League club, with Liverpool rumoured to be that second club.

It looks like Premier League clubs will now battle for Aurier’s signature, and it would be a huge coup for Liverpool if they could steal in and secure a deal for the defender and would be a signal of intent of their intentions this summer.

Aurier would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool, the right-back enjoyed a sensational season in Ligue 1, contributing six goals and six assists while putting in impressive defensive performances for Le Téfécé.

His attributes make him ready-made for the Premier League, he is quick and strong, can play anywhere along the back-line and can even be pushed forward into the attack.

Aurier would battle with Glen Johnson for the right-back spot, but Johnson is not known for his defensive abilities, this is where Aurier would be an improvement, but without compromising on the attacking intentions.

It would cost around €12 million to prise the highly-rated youngster from France, but there is little doubt he is worth every penny. He was named one of the 50 best young players in France by French Football Weekly for the third year in a row, he also won their award for being the best young player in France.

SEE ALSO: Why Arsenal target Serge Aurier is the best young defender in Europe

Aurier is a self-confessed Arsenal fan, and the London club would remain the favourites if they were to begin talks again. However, with the talks on hold, there is a chance that Liverpool could steal in and complete a deal for the defender if they were genuinely interested.

The right-back is set to start for the Ivory Coast in this summer’s World Cup, it would be smart for both clubs if they worked to get a deal done before he bursts onto the scene while in Brazil.

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/06/03/ag-liverpool-could-hijack-deal-for-arsenals-defensive-target/

I'd buy him just to piss off Arsenal fans, if I'm honest.

He's an Arsenal fan so I don't think we will get him tbh.

I F***ing hated him until I finally got him in my pack of Panini stickers to complete Ivory Coast yesterday.



I mean in my son's pack of Panic I stickers.... ahem

Never seen him play but I like the line about "Why Serge Aurier is the best young defender in Europe!" 

I like Johno and think he gets more criticism than he deserves, but I wouldn't be opposed to selling him if it meant getting a better player in to take his place.  I do think that in BR's tactical setup our fullbacks are tasked with running the entire flank practically on their own which tends to lend itself to a younger player.  Glen seems to be slowing down a bit over the last season or two, so I am not sure he has much time left in him of being able to motor up and down the flank the way BR likes...

I F***ing hated him until I finally got him in my pack of Panini stickers to complete Ivory Coast yesterday.



I mean in my son's pack of Panic I stickers.... ahem

Haha a mate of mine over there has a Panini sticker album for his "daughter". He went nuts when he got the full England team.

Seen Red5man post good things about this kid. That's good enough for me. Get him in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvZbWVraOQE#ws

Apparently, he's going to Arsenal

Would like to see Flanagan given a decent crack this season rather than being seen only as a back up choice. I thought he had a great season just gone, and wonder why he isn't being persevered with/ given the confidence to start the season as the number one choice? Buy someone else in January if he hasn't taken his chance.

I'm a big Nat Clyne fan, and would love to see him in our team, but not at £15 mill, and I don't know that he would be that significant an upgrade on Flanagan or Johnson anyway. He's not even a guaranteed starter at Southampton these days with chambers now coming through.

If we have £15 mill there to use, put some faith in Flanno to cement his spot, and use that cash to pin down a top tier signing that we might otherwise deem out of reach.

Flanagan did well but nowhere near the quality that's needed for Champions League. Not to say he won't keep getting better but some folks got a bit carried away with penciling him in as the long term starter. He could still use to compete for his job.

If he's anywhere as good as that article states, then bring him in!

This guy seems very versatile. Has played half the games last season at Center back (both right sided & left sided), a couple as DM and the rest as a right wing back. For the price quoted, he would be a steal. This is the versatile defender we should be targeting, not Micah Richards

Just played in a magnificent cross for Bony to make it 1-1.

Oh wow, and another straight after 2-1

He really does look amazing, shame he's off to Arsenal

Never seen him in my life before the Ivory Coast game but wow can that lad cross the ball from the flank!

Aurier is Andy Carroll's wet dream.

Never seen him in my life before the Ivory Coast game but wow can that lad cross the ball from the flank!

Aurier is Andy Carroll's wet dream.

If Carroll even knew where this mysterious 18 yard box is

What a talent.

Looks good judging by this game

Looks a top talent for his position. Quick, smart, aggressive, and crosses a ball as well as anyone could.

Aurier looks fantastic for the Ivory Coast. My only question is, because it's dangerous to buy players off of international tournaments, how was he at Toulouse? I don't watch the French league much.

Aurier looks fantastic for the Ivory Coast. My only question is, because it's dangerous to buy players off of international tournaments, how was he at Toulouse? I don't watch the French league much.

Never seen him play other than in this World Cup BUT he scored 6 goals last season which is a decent return considering how few goals Johnson scored last season. He got booked 11 times though in 34 matches so you could say he likes a battle too.

Apparently he has agreed terms with Arsenal 5 year contract 60k a week.

If that's true you have to admire the way other big clubs identify targets and get their business wrapped up.

If that's true you have to admire the way other big clubs identify targets and get their business wrapped up.

We have already signed two players. 

If that's true you have to admire the way other big clubs identify targets and get their business wrapped up.

Aside from mega money City and Chelsea no one else in the top 5 have made any movements - and his apparent transfer to Arsenal is on Twitter and nowhere else.

Personally I think we have done well thus far.

We have already signed two players. 

Yep, and if you believe media we haven't completed at least two (Moreno, Lallana) maybe four (Lovren, Sanchez).

With Arsenal set to sign Debuchy, I believe we should go all out for this guy.

I wish..

Hopefully he'll have a cob on with the Arses for having signed Debuchy.

Had a few good performances during the WC and well worth serious consideration.

He's an Arsenal fan so I don't think we will get him tbh.

Maybe we'll get lucky, maybe he doesn't like living in large cities

I wouldn't have any qualms about us signing Aurier or Yedlin, but I don't think right back is our main concern. I think we should give Wisdom a pop, I feel he has the potential to be a stable right back. Also not forgetting, we have Johnson, Flanno and Kelly.

Few rumours that we are meeting with his agent tomorrow.

Would be a great signing.

Few rumours that we are meeting with his agent tomorrow.

Any links mate?

Any links mate?

Had a quick look, mate.

http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2014/serge-auriers-agent-to-meet-with-big-premier-league-club-tomorrow/

If there is any truth we are genuinely interested in this guy then it's a no brainer for me. Sign him up!

Apparently off to PSG for how much.... £7m!!!

Apparently off to PSG for how much.... £7m!!!

How are these mega rich clubs getting players so cheap. Id say 7 million through the books and the rest in an envelope!!

Get Yedlin now!!   

LB is the priority though not RB. We already have ample cover at RB with Johnson, Flanno, Wisdom, plus young Ryan McLaughlin coming through the ranks. It's LB we need to address.

Apparently off to PSG for how much.... £7m

How are these mega rich clubs getting players so cheap.

* cough... David Luiz... * cough

How are these mega rich clubs getting players so cheap. Id say 7 million through the books and the rest in an envelope!!

Get Yedlin now!!   

With Wisdom going on loan yet again, I agree, Yedlin please!!!

* cough... David Luiz... * cough

Ha ha good shout, what the fook were they thinking there pal

Amy Lewis ‏@SkySportsAmy  3 min.
Understand Arsenal are no longer interested in signing Serge Aurier but he's in discussion with another Premier League club #SSN #AFC

Amy Lewis ‏@SkySportsAmy  3 min.
Understand Arsenal are no longer interested in signing Serge Aurier but he's in discussion with another Premier League club #SSN #AFC

Hope it's us the lad is quality much better than Johnson.

Loved watching him play at the world cup. Physically imposing on the defensive end and rarely put in a bad ball in the box when going forward. Can only hope we're the club looking at him

Please be us! Outstanding world cup.

I believe that Spurs are after him...

One full back is all we need. If we can't get a good left back then both Johnson and Flanno can play on the left side and Serge would be a good signing. Starting with 3 new faces in the back 4 is asking for trouble

By all accounts he's on his way to PSG for £7m plus midfielder Clement Chantome. A bit of a tart this fella. He was lauding the Arses the other week and now he's basically said PSG or Monaco would be his first choices.

Ah well

I believe that Spurs are after him...

I expect to read this line in every single player thread we are looking at. It wouldn't feel the same if they weren't after one of our targets. Pricks.

Officially signed for PSG on loan with an option to buy.

Aren't we looking to do the same with a right back? Don't let that stop you from complaining about our club though

Officially signed for PSG on loan with an option to buy.

Aren't we looking to do the same with a right back? Don't let that stop you from complaining about our club though

They're doing it because they can't afford to buy him outright due to restrictions on FFP.

They're doing it because they can't afford to buy him outright due to restrictions on FFP.

< implies the joke Right back on loan for a rich club and our situation with Manquillo was just too convenient to not slip that comment in.