Barcelona ‘have Aymeric Laporte on their radar for the summer during potential Champions League ban’
Barcelona have reportedly rekindled their interest in Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, and are hoping to take advantage of the Premier League giants’ Champions League ban to complete the deal.
The 25-year-old is believed to be keen to continue featuring in the prestigious European competition, and could be lured to the Nou Camp with Barcelona holding an advantage in their pursuit.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have long since identified Laporte as a potential target and are once again eager to sign the French international.
Barcelona have reportedly renewed their interest in Manchester City star Aymeric Laporte
Mundo Deportivo claim that the French centre back back is ‘on the radar’ of Barcelona
City are facing a two-year suspension from the Champions League, pending an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and may be at risk of losing a number of their key assets at the end of the campaign.
And the same report states that Laporte has been made aware of Barcelona’s interest, with the La Liga title hopefuls ready to swoop depending on the result of City’s appeal.
But Laporte is also believed to be ‘at ease’ at the Etihad, and is considered a key performer under Pep Guardiola.
The City boss even admitted Laporte had been a big loss during his injury lay-off, with the Sky Blues struggling defensively in the defender’s lengthy absence.
Laporte is a key performer under Pep Guardiola, who admitted the defender was a big loss
Barcelona were also previously interested in snapping up the Frenchman in 2014 and 2015
The former Athletic Bilbao star was first touted to make the switch to Catalonia in 2014, when Andoni Zubizarreta was Barcelona’s sporting director.
Laporte, however, would have reportedly struggled for match action ahead of first-choice pairing Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano.
Barcelona later resumed their interest in the centre back a year later, but the player’s price tag had increased and the the club were unwilling to meet the valuation.
Despite Laporte having been lured to City through the combined efforts of director Txiki Begiristain and boss Guardiola, Barcelona are hopeful that their swoop will be successful, with the club remaining concerned about the long-term fitness of Samuel Umtiti.
