Manchester City centre-back ‘weighing up’ options in search of regular minutes | OneFootball

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City Xtra

·5 June 2023

Manchester City centre-back ‘weighing up’ options in search of regular minutes

Article image:Manchester City centre-back ‘weighing up’ options in search of regular minutes

Aymeric Laporte is considering his options ahead of the summer transfer window, as interest grows in the Spain international after a frustrating season at the Etihad Stadium.

The UEFA Champions League Final against Inter Milan on Saturday could be the 29 year-olds final match for Manchester City, with the central defender having made just 20 starts for the Blues in all competitions this season.


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Laporte, who joined in 2018 for an estimated £57 million, has won 10 trophies, including five Premier League titles, during his five years in East Manchester.

The defender switched international allegiance from France to Spain during his time at Manchester City and featured for Spain at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November and December.

Laporte has started just 11 Premier League matches for City this season and featured as a late substitute during Saturday’s 2-1 win over rivals Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

The 29 year-old has fallen to the bottom of Pep Guardiola’s defensive pecking order, with Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji all consistently starting ahead of the defender.

As a result of a lack minutes, Laporte is reportedly considering leaving Manchester City this summer, with the centre-back ‘weighing up’ his options, according to James Ducker at The Telegraph.

When asked about his future, Laporte responded: “I can’t talk about these things.”

Reflecting the campaign overall, the defender pointed to a lack of playing opportunities: “Personally, much less than other seasons,” said the Spain international.

“It’s true that I’ve played a bit less but the most important thing is the team, the points, the matches and the trophies.”

Laporte reportedly ‘wants’ to play regular football and is ‘attracting interest’ from across Europe ahead of the summer transfer window.

Both Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona have been linked with the 29 year-old, while clubs in Italy are also claimed to hold an interest in the City centre-back.

Manchester City are also reported to have identified a replacement for Laporte, should the Spaniard depart from the Premier League champions this summer.

RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has a £98 million release clause, though there is the potential to sign the Croatian for £88 million, with the defender ‘open’ to a move to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City poised to intensify interest in £98 million Aymeric Laporte replacement

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