Man City transfer news: £57m ‘titan’ has requested Etihad exit this summer

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Aymeric Laporte has reportedly told Manchester City he wants to leave this summer, with FC Barcelona still interested in signing the centre-back.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Etihad Stadium ‘titan’ has communicated his wishes with the club to leave at the end of the season, with Laporte dropping to the bench this campaign following the arrival of Manuel Akanji last summer.

With Nathan Ake having a more involved role under Pep Guardiola and Rico Lewis establishing himself as City’s next golden boy, it makes sense why Laporte would be keen on leaving the club this summer, with Barcelona already interested in signing the former Athletic Bilbao star.

As per the report, the Catalan side have been tracking Laporte’s situation at City for some time, and with the defender now stating his intention to leave, Barcelona could have a chance to strike in the summer transfer window.

Indeed, with City signing Laporte from Bilbao for a reported £57m, there could even be a chance that the reigning Premier League champions could make a profit on the defender depending on Barcelona’s finances come the summer, with player sales expected from the Camp Nou outfit.

Moreover, with City looking to sign a central defender this summer, selling Laporte makes a lot of sense for Guardiola and his long-term plans for the squad, with a deal that would see the Basque-born star leave one that will benefit everyone.

Laporte could leave City for all the right reasons this summer

Laporte has enjoyed an incredible career at City, with the defender becoming a firm fan favourite at the Etihad Stadium and helping Guardiola and company to numerous titles. Yet many would agree that the defender is well within his right to leave the club this summer.

As we know, City already have plans to sign a centre-back in the transfer window, and with Akanji proving to be one of the coups of the previous summer and Ruben Dias a consent presence at the back, it makes sense why Laporte would be the fall guy in the upcoming window.