Barcelona turn focus to Aymeric Laporte

Have already signed one Spain international from City

Posted Saturday, January 01, 2022 by Marca.com

Aymeric Laporte AFP

Barcelona have been linked in the English press with a move for another Spain international from Manchester City, as they appear to be keen on Aymeric Laporte.

The Catalans have already secured the signing of Ferran Torres yet haven't taken their eyes off the Citizens' squad, although a deal for the former Athletic Club defender would be likely pursued with a view to the summer as the Blaugrana's finances are unlikely to allow such a major transfer before then.

Laporte has been excellent for City since re-establishing himself as a first choice this season and the club would be unlikely to let him go cheaply. Barcelona would probably have to part with close to the 65 million euros that the English club paid for the French-born centre back when they met his Athletic release clause in 2018.

Barcelona want to pair Laporte with his international teammate and former Manchester City defensive partner Eric Garcia. With Gerard Pique at the tail end of his career and Garcia still relatively raw, Laporte is inarguably in his prime and one of the top defenders in the world.

Since joining the Citizens in January 2018, Laporte has gone on to make 123 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals and helping the team lift seven trophies. In 2021, he made his Spain debut after switching allegiances from France and has already racked up 14 caps, becoming a key member of Luis Enrique's side.

Barcelona's Morata move

The Blaugrana have also been heavily linked with a move for another of Luis Enrique's Spain players in Alvaro Morata, who is on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid. Xavi appears to be keen on bringing in La Roja players who can immediately adapt to his playing style and, if he lands Laporte, Barcelona would have signed three Spain players from Manchester City alone in the space of 12 months.