Manchester City and Barcelona have started talks over a potential transfer for Aymeric Laporte, according to Sport.
It has been reported that Barcelona cannot pay the £57 million (BBC Sport) that City paid to Athletic Bilbao for Laporte in January 2018.
However, the Spanish giants are willing to include Sergi Roberto in the deal.
Could that be tempting for City?
According to Sport, yes.
The Spanish publication has claimed that City manager Pep Guardiola has always liked Sergi Roberto and sees him as ‘a top level addition’.
As for the player, the 29-year-old, who can play as a full-back or as a midfielder, would leave Barcelona only to play for Guardiola.
Laporte is a very good defender, but the 27-year-old lost his place in the team to John Stones this past season.
In the end, the Spain international centre-back ended up making 14 starts in the Premier League and four appearances in the Champions League for City this past season.
Sergi Roberto made nine starts and six substitute appearances in La Liga for Barcelona in 2020-21.
The full-back scored one goal and gave two assists in those games.
The 29-year-old also made two starts and one substitute appearance in the Champions League.
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