Real Madrid could make a shock move for Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte despite reports of a transfer to Saudi Arabia.
That’s according to Sun journalist Martin Blackburn.
Laporte fell down the defensive pecking order at City last season, making just 12 Premier League appearances as Pep Guardiola’s side won a third consecutive title.
The Spain international – who asked to leave the club in 2021 – is keen on an exit.
Having signed Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig for £77.5m, City want to offload Laporte this summer.
With the two years remaining on the 29-year-old’s contract, this transfer window might be the last opportunity City have to bring in a decent transfer fee.
Real Madrid are circling
After City received little concrete interest in Laporte for much of the summer, this week the wheels have started to turn regarding a potential transfer to Saudi Arabia.
The treble winners have reportedly agreed a fee with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, the home of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.
Laporte is said to be weighing up the proposition but is understood to be open to playing in the Gulf State.
However, his mind could be swayed if Real Madrid enter the conversation.
According to Martin Blackburn, Los Blancos are considering hijacking Al-Nassr’s move as they look to address their defensive crisis.
Having already lost goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a potentially season-ending ACL injury, Carlo Ancelotti must now make do without centre-back Eder Militao.
The Brazilian defender injured his ACL in Madrid’s 2-0 win against Athletic Club on Saturday.
Laporte – once labelled by Guardiola as “the best left-sided centre-back in the world” – is now waiting to see if the Spanish giants show any interest in him following Militao’s injury before making a decision on his future.
The value of the offer City accepted from Al-Nassr is undisclosed, but City would likely want Madrid to at least match it, especially as they are a Champions League rival.
