Reports: PSG considering move for Manchester City’s Laporte
Manchester City are all but set to lose Aymeric Laporte in the summer, with the defender unhappy at the Etihad due to reduced playing time.
According to the latest reports from French outlet L’Equipe (via Goal), Paris Saint-Germain are going to enter the market for a left-sided central defender.
Milan Skriniar’s early acquisition ahead of next season evokes promise, especially since Sergio Ramos’ contract is winding down. Presnel Kimpembe’s future is largely undecided as well, thus serving the logic to target Laporte.
The 28-year-old has cut a frustrated figure this term, with merely one appearance across Manchester City’s previous nine in the Premier League. Despite Pep Guardiola’s neutral stances, it’s visible that he is behind Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji in the pecking order.
Laporte played over 2,800 minutes in the PL last season, recording his best scoring year with four goals to his credit. Sharp, effortless in his tackling and outstanding with his distribution, at his prime, the former Athletic Bilbao man will want to play regularly, mainly because he has been an integral member of Man City’s previous trophy-laden seasons.
Laporte has two years left on his current deal, but it’s widely believed the Premier League leaders won’t stand in his way if he’s dissatisfied and decides to seek a move elsewhere.
Tottenham Hotspur are one of the other teams who are reportedly kicking the tires on the defender, alongside European giants Barcelona and Juventus.
As far as Man City are concerned, they’ve endured a significant number of outgoings since the start of the season. Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling left the club in the summer, while a dejected Joao Cancelo swapped for Bayern Munich on loan in the winter transfer window after a handful of games on the bench.
Erling Haaland and Akanji have been priceless additions to the squad; the former having completed an astonishing 50 goals for the season during the 2-1 win over Fulham.
Guardiola and co. have jumped to the top of the table and already will have sights on their next assignment against West Ham on Wednesday.
Given that they have the Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid and the mouth-watering FA Cup final against Manchester United, Laporte could play a part for Manchester City at some point as they make the final push for the treble with the long season winding down.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Zakarie Faibis. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.