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Manchester City star attracting interest from La Liga giants

By Rohan Sengupta

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City warm up prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park on February 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City warm up prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park on February 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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According to the Daily Star, Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has attracted interest from Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.

Aymeric Laporte, 26, has endured a tough campaign with Manchester City, starting only eight Premier League games so far. The French defender started in City’s 3-1 victory over Everton on Wednesday, as Guardiola’s side took an unassailable 10 points lead at the top of the Premier League table.

However, he has slipped down the centre-back pecking order this season, with John Stones enjoying a renaissance in form and becoming Pep Guardiola’s favoured partner for summer signing Ruben Dias. Laporte, who is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2025, has made only 15 appearances across all competitions, with Covid-19 and hamstring problems hampering his progress this season.

Considering the 26-year-old’s lack of game time, Daily Star understands that Real Madrid could test City’s resolve by launching a bid for the defender at the end of 2020/21 campaign.

Real Madrid are looking out for a new central defender, as Sergio Ramos could bid farewell when his contract expires on June 30. The report adds that it would take an offer close to the £57million for the La Liga giants to sign Laporte from City.

Manchester City are in blistering form at the moment, ripping apart opposition defences with their creativity, flair and energy. While their midfielders and forwards have linked up very well in the last few months, more credit needs to be given to Guardiola’s defence for racking up clean sheets on a consistent basis.

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Indeed, the Cityzens have conceded just five goals in the last 15 games in all competitions, thanks to the brilliant partnership of Stones and Dias at the back. The astonishing re-emergence of Stones is arguably the main obstacle for Laporte returning to City’s starting XI.

Laporte, who has been City’s first-choice defender ever since joining from Athletic Bilbao three years ago, has found himself out in the cold this term. The Frenchman is a top centre-half and Guardiola cannot afford to lose him in the summer.

With the first leg of City’s Champions League round of 16 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach next week and games, in general, coming thick and fast, Guardiola should look to use Laporte a lot more, as the defender’s continuity at the Etihad Stadium reportedly depends on how much he plays between now and the end of the season.

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