PSG targeting Aymeric Laporte with Manchester City ‘unwilling’ to sell defender to Premier League rival

Aymeric Laporte has emerged as a potential target for Paris Saint Germain this summer, as the Spain international reportedly considers his Manchester City future.

The 28 year-old played a defining role in Manchester City’s Premier League title triumph last season but has struggled for regular opportunities this campaign, starting just 14 matches for Pep Guardiola.

Laporte started the recent 6-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals though the defender has started just three Premier League matches this calendar year.

The Spain international has been subject to transfer interest from across Spain and Italy; with Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma all rumoured to be considering a potential move for Laporte.

Paris Saint Germain, who are also claimed to weighing up a fresh move for midfielder Bernardo Silva this summer, are targeting the City centre-back, according to Pete O’Rourke.

Laporte is ‘target’ for the French heavyweights, as the Sky Blues apparently seek £40 million for the defender.

Should the 28 year-old choose to leave the Etihad Stadium then the defender would be unable to move to a Premier League rival, with City claimed to be ‘unwilling’ to potentially strengthen a domestic opponent.

Footy Insider report that the Premier League champions could allow Laporte to leave at the end of the season but are ‘unlikely’ to sanction a move to elsewhere in the Premier League.

City allowed both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to sign for Arsenal last summer, with the Gunners now battling the Sky Blues in the race for the Premier League title.

The North London club are eight points clear of City but have played one game more than Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Blues resume their bid to win a third successive Premier League title on Saturday, when they face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.