Aymeric Laporte is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the English Premier League club Manchester City. Born on May 27, 1994, in Agen, France, Laporte began his youth career at the French club SU Agen Football before joining Athletic Bilbao’s academy in Spain.
Laporte played a vital role in Manchester City’s winning campaigns. That includes two Premier League titles, three League Cups, and the FA Cup. His impressive performances were marked by his exceptional defensive skills, technical ability, and excellent positioning.
However, things have changed now as Aymeric Laporte could leave Man City this summer but are unlikely to stay in the Premier League. He has been linked with Barcelona before which looks to be his most likely destination.
Laporte not first choice any more
The signings of Ruben Dias and Akanji didn’t help the cause either. These signings meant that Laporte would be on the bench for most the season. Ruben Dias and Laporte would have been the perfect duo but Pep Guardiola didn’t think so. Pep started playing Dias and Stones from the 2020/21 season as the primary Centre back partnership. And now with the signing of Akanji, Laporte has fallen down the pecking order.
Manchester City will look to balance its wage books with the transfer
Laporte, who earns a reported wage of £120,000-a-week, is under contract at the club until June 2025.
Aymeric Laporte first joined the club from Athletic Club in 2018, costing Manchester City a reported £57.2million – a then-club-record fee.
Laporte is no longer Guardiola’s preferred central partner. Sources close to the defender have revealed he will look for a new club as soon as the season ends.
A move out of England more likely than ever
The Spain international has started just six Premier League games this season and has played less at the Etihad Stadium than all of his central-back team-mates. Arsenal are interested in signing him but it is highly unlikely as they have learned from their previous mistakes.
A transfer to Barcelona would be their preference for him. Barcelona needs a left footed centre back and Laporte would fit that profile. Laporte still has time till the end of the season where he will probably get game time in the Fa Cup and some Premier League matches. But a move out of England is more likely than ever now.
