Serge Aurier Claims He Nearly Joined One Of Europe's Biggest Clubs

When Serge Aurier moved to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer it came after both Manchester United and Chelsea had been heavily linked with the right back. He claims it was one of Europe's other massive clubs who wanted him, they deny it.

Full backs have become one of footballing biggest commodities in recent times with Pep Guardiola so desperate to sign some good ones in the summer he twice broke the record for the most expensive defender in the history of football.

Once Kyle Walker had become the priciest defender ever, only to be beaten by Benjamin Mendy mere days later, Spurs had a job on their hands to replace him. Even with Kieran Trippier taking the reigns as their first choice in that position Mauricio Pochettino needed backup.

_{Walker's move to City in the summer meant Spurs needed a new full-back. Image: PA}

So he turned to PSG's Serge Aurier who wanted out of the French capital. The Ivorian, in an interview with Canal + at the weekend revealed that his past behaviour had kept him from signing for Barcelona, saying:

"I think my reputation made four or five big European sides afraid. I was negotiating with Barcelona, very advanced negotiations. And Barcelona's people were not sure if I came here things would be different."

_{Aurier playing for Spurs in the Champions League. Image: PA}

Aurier continued to say that his reputation, especially in the media, had caused him to leave Ligue 1, adding, "It was the right choice [to leave]. After a while, I did not feel comfortable with the media.

"For me, it was never going to end. After a while, I felt like a prisoner, with a camera on my back. By staying in France, I would have never washed this image."

Serge Aurier

_{Aurier's time at PSG came to an end in the summer and the club replaced him with Dani Alves. Image: PA}

However after claiming he was in 'advanced talks' with Barcelona a spokesperson for the La Liga leaders told SPORT that the club weren't the one interested in the player and it was the opposite, saying:

"We never sat down with that player or representative, they wanted to sit down with us, but nothing was ever done."

No offence Serge but we're inclined to believe Barca on this one, after all how would they have time to sort another transfer out when they seemingly spent every waking second of the transfer window failing to sign Philippe Coutinho.

Topics: Spurs, Barcelona, PSG, Premier League

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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