The Spain international is a former teammate of Swansea City defender Jordi Amat.

Swansea City are ‘making efforts to sign’ Barcelona outcast Aleix Vidal in January, according to ESPN.

Barca paid around £15 million to sign the Spain international from Sevilla in 2015, however, he has featured on only 18 occasions since the Catalans’ registration ban ended at the start of this year.

Four of those outings have arrived this season and Vidal is widely expected to leave the Camp Nou in January.

ESPN reports that Swansea manager Bob Bradley will be backed by the club’s American owners in the upcoming transfer window, with defence said to be a high priority for the 58-year-old.

Signed by Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique primarily as a right-back, Vidal has spent much of his career in a more advanced role and can also operate as a left winger if required.

Swansea have long held a strong affinity with players and staff from the Iberian nation, having previously employed Roberto Martinez, Jordi Gomez and Michu at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans’ current squad also contains four Spaniards, including Jordi Amat, who was on Espanyol’s books at the same time as Vidal.

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