Barcelona Transfer News 2015: Catalans Eye Defender From Monaco
Now looking to improve on the defensive end, Barcelona are heavily linked to Tunisian defender Aymen Abdennour.
The center back currently plays for AS Monaco and is said to be the top priority for the European champions as they look to add strength on their back four.
It is believed that the interest is mutual as Abdennour revealed that he is very willing to join Barcelona, and that he fits the team's fold very well.
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In an interview with reporters, Abdennour said: "I would love to join a big club and Barcelona are just that. I am very competitive and I think I have the characteristics to succeed. Barcelona are the best team in the world and I would love to play for them, but the decision is not mine. It depends on Monaco.
"I do not know whether Barcelona have approached Monaco, yet I hope an agreement will be reached. I want to join Barcelona, but it's up to the president. Both clubs will have to reach an agreement. I will only leave Monaco for a club that plays Champions League football. The Monaco president has told me he will only sell to a big club so I am not going anywhere unless a big club comes in," he continued.
It is believed that Abdennour is also a target for English Premier League teams Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, but the 25-year-old will only leave the Ligue 1 outfit if he goes to a team playing in the UEFA Champions League.
If the deal pushes through, then Abdennour will not be able to play until the end of the January transfer window as Barcelona are still going through a two-window transfer ban.
Finally, if the Catalans fail to secure Abdennour's services, then it is also reported that they are looking at Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen as a possible back-up.
Vertonghen has long been a target of the La Liga champions but the Belgian international has kept his loyalty intact by agreeing to stay with the London club. Furthermore, it is very unlikely that Vertonghen will agree to sit on the sidelines as he waits for Barcelona's ban to be lifted until early 2016.
