Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the prospect of signing 27-year-old Spanish international Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City next summer.
According to an exclusive report by The Sun, Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has emerged as a key defensive target for Barcelona heading into next summer’s transfer window. The Catalan giants view the 27-year-old Spanish international as a long-term central defensive partner for Eric Garcia.
Aymeric Laporte joined Manchester City from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018 and has since largely gone from strength to strength at the Etihad. While the 2020/21 season was difficult for the 27-year-old, his breakthrough in the Spanish national side helped him rally up some momentum going into the ongoing campaign.
As a result, Laporte has once again become a first-choice centre-back for Manchester City this term, turning out 19 times across all competitions, chipping in with two goals along the way. The Spanish international’s progress this season has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona rekindling the pursuit of the defender.
The interest from Barcelona is understandable, considering Eric Garcia has been unconvincing since arriving from Manchester City in the summer. In addition, Gerard Pique is edging closer to his retirement, while Samuel Umtiti has been deemed surplus to requirements by the Blaugrana.
At the same time, Clement Lenglet also faces an uncertain future at Camp Nou after tumbling down the pecking order in the past year. So, Laporte is a viable target for Barcelona, although, according to The Sun, the 27-year-old is viewed as a possible long-term central defensive partner for Garcia.
If signed, Laporte will become the third Manchester City player in as many transfer windows to join Barcelona after Garcia this past summer and Ferran Torres in January. And, as per the report, the Catalan giants are hopeful of having enough funds to seal a big-money move for the Spanish international next summer.
To that end, Barcelona will likely be launching the offensive for Laporte in the summer transfer window. However, recent reports have claimed that the player is keen on staying put at Manchester City, even though he appreciates the interest from Barcelona. So, it remains to be seen if the Blaugrana can secure the services of the 27-year-old or turn their attention elsewhere.
