Arsenal are weighing up a potential offer for Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners are expected to go back into the market for a defender following the injury setback suffered by Jurrien Timber and, writing in his CaughtOffside Substack column, Romano says Laporte is someone who is on the club’s radar:
“Earlier in the summer, Arsenal looked at bringing in a ‘traditional’ centre-back, more than a versatile player like Timber, who can play everywhere in defence. One player they appreciate is Aymeric Laporte.”
Romano does, however, say that City will likely block Laporte’s sale to the Gunners. They have sold both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to the London club over the past year but their stance has now changed:
“The rumours are true in the sense that he is liked by Arsenal, but the problem is Manchester City don’t want to sell another player to Arsenal, they prefer another destination for him, so let’s see if Arsenal return for Laporte or if they try to replace Timber with a full-back instead.”
Laporte wants to leave City
Even if the Premier League champions are reluctant to sell the Spaniard, who has been capped 22 times by his country, Arsenal may be able to count on the player to push through a transfer.
Laporte is believed to be unhappy about his lack of game time. He was an unused substitute in the Community Shield and played only 11 minutes against Burnley in City’s opening league fixture. He would probably jump at the chance to make the switch to the Emirates.
Why are Arsenal looking for a Timber replacement?
With Timber having been deployed at left-back during his early season run-outs, it would suggest that the Gunners could now keep Kieran Tierney at the club to cover for the loss of the Dutchman.
However, reports suggest that Timber’s situation won’t affect Tierney’s future. The Scotland international is expected to be sold before the transfer window closes, with the likes of Newcastle, Real Sociedad and Celtic taking an interest in the defender.
