Rumour: Arsenal open talks to sign Toulouse defender Serge Aurier

Serge Aurier

Arsenal have reportedly made their first foray in the summer transfer market after making an initial bid of £7 million for Toulouse full-back Serge Aurier. Goal reports that Arsene Wenger has been suitably impressed with Aurier’s performances this season and has signalled the go-ahead for the move.

With current right-back Bacary Sagna telling Arsenal he will not sign a new deal and will be leaving at the end of the season the need for a new full-back has become that much more urgent. It is believed that Wenger will allow Aurier to battle it out for the starting spot with Carl Jenkinson.

The Toulouse star shares plenty of traits with Sagna, the primary of which being his versatility, like Sagna Aurier is more than capable of playing at centre-back. The Ivorian is though, much better offensively, if a little weaker defensively.

Aurier has long been tracked by Arsenal’s scouting team and the player himself has made no secret of his desire to join the Gunners. The full-back’s Twitter page is full of material suggesting that he craves a move to North London.

Only three defenders have more goals across Europe’s top five leagues than Aurier (6).