Barcelona step up interest in Norwich City's Max Aarons with fresh £5m bid for defender
Barcelona have made a renewed bid to sign Norwich defender Max Aarons, with a £5million offer to take him on an initial season's loan.
Aarons, the England under-21 international, has emerged as a serious target for the La Liga heavyweights following the £29 million sale of Nelson Semedo to Wolves.
Barcelona are in talks with Norwich to sign the right-back on loan with a view to a permanent deal next year, due to the severe impact of Covid-19 on their finances.
Norwich want £30 million for Aarons, who signed a new five-year contract last summer, and are reluctant to sanction any loan deal unless there is a clear agreement in place for Barcelona to buy him.
It is understood the latest offer was put to Norwich on Monday evening.
Barcelona have sold Semedo to Wolves for a substantial fee and have prioritised Aarons and Ajax's Sergino Dest as their leading targets to replace the Portugal international.
Bayern Munich also have Aarons as an option.
Aarons, 20, is settled at Norwich and happy to stay at the club following their relegation from the Premier League.
Yet Norwich recognise the huge lure of Barcelona and the opportunity for a player who has come through the club's academy, but have told the Spanish giants they will only do business if they receive an acceptable offer.
Despite Norwich finishing bottom of the Premier League last season, Aarons did enhance his reputation, making 36 appearances for the club.
Jamal Lewis, the Northern Ireland international, joined Newcastle for £15 million earlier this month.
