Crystal Palace has surfaced as a surprise bidder for Aymeric Laporte, with Manchester City willing to accept a significant loss to offload the Spanish international.
Crystal Palace intends to approach Manchester City for defender Aymeric Laporte, according to the Daily Star. The Spanish international is less popular at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola, and the club may try to transfer him, although at a significant loss on their investment.
Pep Guardiola got Manchester City to invest £58 million on Aymeric Laporte, who ended up being a masterstroke of a deal. He has established his worth under Catalan, playing key parts in many Premier League victories.
Last season, though, he was a supporting player who had dropped down the defensive pecking order. Despite Guardiola frequently using four centre-backs in his setup, Laporte struggled to get game time. The triple champion made 24 appearances but behind players like Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
Despite having a unique profile for a centre defender, Guardiola may have moved away from the 29-year-old’s style. Manchester City is pursuing Josko Gvardiol, which would be the end of Laporte’s time at the Etihad.
Manchester City is willing to accept a significant loss on their £58 million investment and sell Laporte in the present market for £35 million. The Spanish international has a slew of suitors, including Chelsea, who are interested in the 29-year-old center-back.
Crystal Palace have expressed an interest in signing Laporte, becoming a surprise suitor. Given the other suitors in line, the Spanish international may not necessarily want a move to Selhurst Park, but they may become an alternative.
Roy Hodgson wants to add a new centre-back to his team because he is lacking a left-footed alternative. Alternatively, the veteran manager may see Laporte as a substitute for Marc Guehi, who is still rumoured to be on his way out.
In either case, Laporte will enhance Crystal Palace’s defence, although the club will face stiff competition from both English and overseas rivals. Then there’s the matter of whether the treble winner would rather play for Hodgson’s team than another.
Manchester City will see no harm in letting him go because they have plenty of other options in the position. Their pursuit of Gvardiol will effectively terminate Laporte’s stay here, but the fact that they are willing to let him go by accepting a loss is the most startling aspect.
