FC Barcelona is still looking for reinforcements, including in defence. Will the Catalans find what they are looking for again at Manchester City?
In the course of the ongoing squad changes at FC Barcelona, another Manchester City player has been linked to the Catalans. The Spanish Mundo Deportivo reports the possibility of a move from Aymeric Laporte to Catalonia if the desired transfers of Jules Kounde or Kalidou Koulibaly cannot be realized.
English newspaper Mirror had previously reported that the English champions were ready to ditch Laporte. Accordingly, coach Pep Guardiola wants fresh blood for the Citizens’ defense. However, the 28-year-old was one of the absolute regulars at ManCity last season and formed a bulwark with Portuguese Ruben Dias. With just 26 goals conceded, the Skyblues shared the best defense in the Premier League with Liverpool FC. Laporte’s contract runs until 2025 and his market value is estimated at 45 million euros.
FC Barcelona: Laporte would be the third ManCity transfer within a year
According to reports, Barca favor Frenchman Kounde from FC Sevilla or Senegalese Koulibay from SSC Napoli anyway. However, both clubs demand high transfer fees, and Chelsea are also interested in Kounde. The Blues, who are able to act again after the completed sale to a consortium led by Todd Boehly, urgently need replacements in defense following the departure of Antonio Rüdiger.
If the worst comes to the worst, Laporte would be the third player to switch from Manchester City to Barcelona in a year. Last summer, Eric Garcia returned to his youth club after moving to the island from Barca in 2017. In addition, Ferran Torres broke up his tents in Manchester in the winter and went back to Spain.
