In Focus: Pogba right to encourage Man United to move for Aurier

Football FanCast

By James Beavis

Published Jul 22, 2017

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly urged the club's hierarchy to complete a deal to sign £25m-rated Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier.

According to Goal, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is urging the club’s hierarchy to sign Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier, who could cost around £25m according to The Independent, this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho is looking to sign a right-back this summer and The Independent say he has been frustrated in his attempts to sign Monaco’s Fabinho, which means that he could turn his attentions to Aurier, and Goal says Pogba wants the club to get the deal done.

The 24-year-old was left out of the squad for PSG’s tour to America and he looks likely to leave after they completed a deal to sign Dani Alves from Juventus earlier this month, but Goal says that United’s Premier League opponents Tottenham Hotspur are interested, while Serie A sides Inter Milan and Juventus are also keen.

The Ivory Coast international has certainly had some ups and downs during his career with the Ligue 1 giants, being suspended for criticising Angel Di Maria and Laurent Blanc in 2016, while he was denied entry to the UK for a Champions League fixture against Arsenal last November because of a previous assault conviction.

How did Aurier do last season?

The 24-year-old made 32 appearances in all competitions for the French side, providing five assists and he is certainly a modern day full-back with the way he loves to get forward.

Strong and quick, the Ivorian successfully completed 22 take-ons in 22 Ligue 1 outings last term.

Would he be a good signing for United?

He certainly would be, yes.

While he has had a few problems during his time with PSG, Aurier made his name following some outstanding performances for his country at the 2014 World Cup and he has shown similar form while playing for the French giants.

At 24 years of age the right-back has plenty of time to improve and mature, and Mourinho would be confident of helping the player to do both of those things.

Aurier also has plenty of Champions League experience from his time in the French capital, and that will help United on their return to the group stages of Europe’s elite club competitions.