A 2nd high-profile member of the first-team setup at Premier League champions Manchester City is closing on a move to Saudi Arabia, it has been revealed.
The player in question? Aymeric Laporte.
For those who may have missed it, Pep Guardiola’s squad was already raided by the riches of the Saudi Pro League once this summer, when Riyad Mahrez sealed a big-money move to Al-Ahli.
And the Algerian, it would appear, will soon be lining out against a former teammate on the blue half of Manchester.
This comes with the aforementioned Laporte in ‘advanced discussions’ over a three-year contract with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Laporte, for his part, has already accepted Al-Nassr as his next destination, with a salary of around €18 million-per-season now being discussed between the parties.
It remains to be seen whether the powers that be at The Etihad deem it necessary to bring in further reinforcements at the heart of the club’s backline, with Josko Gvardiol having already arrived from RB Leipzig for a record sum.
Aymeric Laporte and Al Nassr are now in advanced discussions over three year deal — player has accepted the Saudi destination 🟡🔵⏳
Salary being discussed — $25m per season as @Santi_J_FM called, but now negotiating around $20m.
Fee for Man City will be in excess of €20m. pic.twitter.com/ICpNPsr7UJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2023
*Update* – Laporte’s move to Riyadh has now been all but confirmed, with City, in fact, set to secure a fee closer to the €30 million mark.
Aymeric Laporte to Al Nassr, here we go! Agreement reached also on player side — salary in excess of $20m, medical booked 🚨🟡🔵🇸🇦 #AlNassr
Laporte will sign until June 2026.
Man City to receive package close to €30m.
🇵🇹🇪🇸 Otávio and Laporte will join Al Nassr next week. pic.twitter.com/aMKIEgX9PM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2023
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