Barcelona have bids rejected for Norwich's Aarons - sources

Barcelona have targeted Norwich City's Max Aarons as they look to replace Nelson Semedo.

September 19, 2020 • 11:42 AM

Barcelona have had two bids rejected for Norwich City defender Max Aarons as they look to replace Nelson Semedo, sources have confirmed to ESPN.

Barca first made contact with Aarons' agents over a transfer in May and have already agreed on personal terms with the right-back.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

- Insider Notebook: Man United frustrated by fans on Twitter

- Lowe: Messi gearing up for "Last Dance" with Barca

However, they have been unable to strike a deal with Norwich, with an initial offer to take Aarons on loan with an option to buy next summer for around €20 million knocked back by the Championship club.

TOP FOOTBALL NEWS

• Bale completes stunning return to Spurs

• Liverpool sign Diogo Jota from Wolves

• Spurs beat Man Utd to sign Reguilon

• Zidane denies Bale rift ahead of Spurs deal

• Pirlo: Suarez unlikely to join Juve from Barca

• James scores 1st Prem goal in Everton rout

A second offer has also been turned down but sources told ESPN that Barca haven't completely given up hope of landing the England under-21 international yet after making him their No.1 full-back target.

Sources at the Catalan club have told ESPN that Semedo could leave in the next week, with talks at an advanced stage with a Premier League side.

Barca hope to sell Semedo for over €30m. They plan to re-invest that money on a younger right-back to compete with Sergi Roberto this season.

Aarons, 20, has emerged as their preferred option but they are also managing a number of alternatives in case they are unable to find a breakthrough in negotiations with Norwich.

Ajax defender Sergino Dest has also been followed by Barca for a while and is another name on the table if Semedo is sold in the coming days.

In the case of both Aarons and Dest, Barca face competition from Bayern Munich. Sources close to the United States international have told ESPN that the Bundesliga champions are in pole position.

That would clear the way for Barca to move for Aarons, although they have also sounded out the chances of doing deals for Arsenal's Hector Bellerin and Manchester United's Diogo Dalot.

Barca could still push ahead with signing a full-back even if Semedo stays. However, they cannot buy until they offload players, which is why they initially proposed a season-long loan when negotiating for Aarons.