Serge Aurier Angers PSG Coupe de France 27052017Gettyimages

Juventus should move for Serge Aurier as Dani Alves’ replacement


COMMENT   
 

Juventus confirmed on Wednesday evening that they are parting ways with Brazil right-back Dani Alves.

The 34-year-old only moved to Turin a year ago, but now appears destined to take the next step of his glittering career in England, where Manchester City have been tipped as potential suitors.

It would be a risky move for both parties.

Article continues below

The Citizens are desperate for full-backs following the summer departures of Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and stand-in Jesus Navas, although Pep Guardiola may want to think twice before turning to another Barcelona old boy following the dismal campaign of Claudio Bravo.

Dani Alves Juventus

While Dani Alves has been a bright, inventive and often decisive presence down Juve’s right, he may also want to consider whether—at this stage of his career—a move to the Premier League would be the right one.

While the former Sevilla man’s future could well be settled imminently, Juventus must now begin a search for a new right-back.

Stephan Lichtsteiner remains at the club, but at 33, he’s hardly a long-term option, while he too has been linked to the exit door.

The hot favourite to replace the departing Brazilian great—at least if media reports are anything to go by—is Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian.

Matteo Darmian Manchester United

However, while the former Torino man certainly has his appeal, Juve ought to also be considering Paris Saint-Germain wideman Serge Aurier, even if they may face competition for his signature.

United and City have both, understandably, been linked to the Ivorian as they look to solve a problem position, while the Mirror have reported that Tottenham Hotspur are also considering the West African.

 

The fact that Spurs’ interest is contingent on selling Kyle Walker to City, just demonstrates what a transfer merry-go-round the aforementioned clubs find themselves on.

However, the wise move looks to be on Aurier, who has also been tipped for a move to Barcelona in recent transfer windows, leaving the Parc des Princes this summer.

Serge Aurier PSG

He has just two years left on his contract and, according to the Mirror, is interested in tasting life in a foreign league.

Aurier’s coming off the back of a testing year at PSG, where things haven’t been easy for him since he criticised teammates and then-coach Laurent Blanc on Periscope last season.

Aurier stats | 2016-17 Season

He’s subsequently found himself in trouble with the authorities following an altercation with a policeman, and has had a testing relationship with new coach Unai Emery.

Injuries and indiscipline on the field have stymied his progress, while the emergence of Belgium international Thomas Meunier at the Parc des Princes means that Aurier is no longer as vital to the club’s plans as he once was.

Dani Alves Juventus Real Madrid Champions League final 03062017

Nonetheless, Aurier still offers the kind of power and dynamism from right-back that very few of his counterparts in the world game can match.

In his last season at Toulouse, he scored six goals and contributed six assists, and while he hasn’t matches these tallies (or come close) in subsequent years, he’s still only 24 and ought to have his best years ahead of him.

He’s explosive, powerful and fast, and would help lower the average age of the Old Lady’s backline. Admittedly, he brings baggage, but he’s a rare talent, offering the kind of quality that few clubs can match and for a fee of around €10-15 million as per Calciomercato, could be a steal for the reigning Italian champions.

Advertisement