Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'will not sell Aymeric Laporte to Premier League rival'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 28 March 2023

Man City 'will not sell Laporte to Premier League rival'

Manchester City reportedly have no intention of selling defender Aymeric Laporte to a fellow Premier League team this summer, amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City reportedly have no intention of selling defender Aymeric Laporte to a Premier League rival this summer.

The 28-year-old has made 171 appearances across all competitions for the Citizens since joining the club from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, winning eight trophies including four Premier League titles.

However, Laporte has been forced to settle for a squad-rotation role under Pep Guardiola this season, and has been reduced to just six starts in the Premier League.

With John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake all seemingly preferred by Guardiola in central defence, Laporte is said to be keen to seek pastures new ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

The Spain international allegedly has a 'concrete possibility' of leaving the Etihad this summer, and a host of top European clubs have been credited with an interest in his services.

Manchester City's Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte pictured on October 5, 2022 © Reuters

Cash-strapped Barcelona are understood to have held an interest in Laporte for some time, while Real Madrid, Juventus and Roma are also keeping tabs on his situation at City.

A recent report claims that Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to join the race, and have made an enquiry for the left-footed defender.

However, Spurs appear to have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Laporte, as Football Insider claims that Man City are unwilling to sell the Spaniard to a fellow Premier League club and strengthen a potential rival.

A move abroad remains a possibility for Laporte, though, and a return to Spain could be an option having previously spent close to eight years with Athletic Bilbao in the club's academy and first team.

Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte celebrates scoring their fifth goal on December 26, 2021 © Reuters

Laporte is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2025 and is believed to be valued by City at around €40m (£35.6m).

The defender's potential exit could see the Citizens step up their interest in RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol, who is believed to be one of their primary summer targets.

The 21-year-old, widely regarded as one of the brightest prosects in Europe, has been strongly linked with a summer switch to the Etihad, although the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are also in the race for his signature.

City have also been credited with an interest in fellow Croatian youngster Luka Vuskovic, with one report claiming that they have tabled an opening offer worth up to €12m (£10.5m) for the 16-year-old Hajduk Split centre-back.