Manchester City superstar close to forcing a move this summer

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates with Aymeric Laporte after scoring the second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Manchester City and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Etihad Stadium on November 7, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates with Aymeric Laporte after scoring the second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Manchester City and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Etihad Stadium on November 7, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Aymeric Laporte was one of the talking points at Manchester City this season. Though having played 2,249 minutes across all competitions, the Frenchman is said to be unhappy with his current role at the club, especially since he was the then-record transfer of the Cityzens in 2018.

Laporte wasn’t started in the big games by Pep Guardiola and it is evident that the Spain international has fallen down the pecking order with the duo of John Stones and Ruben Dias establishing their place in the XI.

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Numerous sources have understood that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is a fan of Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto and wants to coach the Spaniard next season. Having said that, Barcelona, themselves have been tipped to sell quite a few players to balance their books and to go after targets of their own.

Roberto and Laporte could become a part of a swap deal.

There is a high probability of this swap deal taking place as Blaugrana’s current economic situation is very delicate. Barcelona’s defense too was one of the main talking points of the last season, and the former La Liga champions desperately need a quality center-back.

As per Sport, Laporte, 27, is eager to move back to Spain and is said to be pressuring the club to let him leave this summer.

MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 4: Aymeric Laporte of Spain during the International Friendly match between Spain v Portugal at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 4, 2021 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 4: Aymeric Laporte of Spain during the International Friendly match between Spain v Portugal at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 4, 2021 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

The source also adds that Laporte is aware of the delicate financial situation that Barcelona are currently facing and hence City may be inclined to sell him if he tries to force his way out of the club.

Perhaps a swap deal involving Roberto and Laporte is the best available option for both, Barcelona and Manchester City. The two clubs share a good relationship and the deal could actually take place.

There is still a long way to go this summer and anything could happen. For now, the players are focused on winning the Euros 2020 with both Roberto and Laporte being called up

for Spain.