Aymeric Laporte has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester City.
Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte is understood to be a transfer target for Man City
The Guardian is reporting that Manchester City are prepared to meet Aymeric Laporte’s release clause of £39 million, as incoming manager Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen his defensive options ahead of the start of next season.
The Citizen’s were ruthlessly exposed throughout the course of this past season, with the continued absence of captain Vincent Kompany proving troublesome. Eliaquim Mangala failed to establish himself when deputising for the Belgian, and the Guardian now understand that Guardiola is keen to address this issue.
Incoming Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola will be looking to strengthen his defensive options
The 22-year-old French defender is currently recovering from a broken leg and dislocated ankle, and has been ruled out until August, although the newspaper claims this is unlikely to deter City in their pursuit of the Athletico Bilbao man.
The Guardian understand that City have been preparing a contract offer for Laporte and his agents – former Spain internationals Carlos Puyol and Ivan de la Pena – before they submit a bid to the La Liga side.
Laporte is currently recovering from a broken leg and is expected to return in August
Laporte is predominantly left-footed and will provide perfect balance playing alongside a right-footed centre-back- a trait that Guardiola has always looked for in his defensive pairings.
With Kompany’s horrendous injury record, City surely have to make a move in the defensive department, and the potential signing of Laporte would go a long way to rectifying that squad deficiency.
Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany continues to struggle with injuries
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