Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has become the latest Etihad star reportedly keen on a move to Barcelona this summer, according to reports in Spain.
The Cityzens and the Camp Nou side have had a mixed relationship in recent years, with Ferran Torres and Eric Garcia both joining Xavi’s side from Manchester City, but Bernardo Silva still one that has got away from the Blaugrana even though both they and the player are reportedly keen on the move.
In more recent developments, it has also been claimed that Ilkay Gundogan could be tempted by a Catalan switch when his current contract at Manchester City expires in the summer of 2023, with his agent pictured at Barcelona headquarters last month.
(Photo by Conor Molloy/News Images) 2MB27AR Ilkay Gundogan #8 of Manchester City takes to the field ahead of the Premier League match Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, United Kingdom, 19th January 2023
(Photo by Conor Molloy/News Images) (Alamy Stock Photo)
Now, it has been reported that Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte is ready to call time on his Manchester City career, six years after his arrival, and is keen to complete a move to Barcelona this summer.
Reports in Spain claim that Laporte ‘wants to join a club where he can start regularly’, having been largely a bit-part player under Pep Guardiola following the arrival of Manuel Akanji last summer.
Meanwhile, Manchester City would be willing to let the 29-year-old leave as they look to reinforce their backline with the addition of RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol this summer, a move that would push Laporte further down the Etihad pecking order.
However, the price may prove a major stumbling block. Though valued at only 38m euros by transfermarkt, Laporte would likely command a fee closer to 50m euros, something that would place him well out of Barcelona’s price range.
In fact, there may be very little change at Camp Nou this summer, with La Liga chief Javier Tebas explaining last week that ‘In the case of Barcelona, they have to drop spending on wages and transfers from £532m to £399m (€650m to €450m), so it’s a budget of minus £177m (€200m)’ for the upcoming transfer window.
