Manchester City poised to intensify interest in £98 million Aymeric Laporte replacement

The uncertain future of Aymeric Laporte has forced Manchester City towards the transfer market, as the Premier League champions identify their possible replacement.

The Spain international has endured a troublesome campaign, struggling for consistent minutes as City boss Pep Guardiola continues to favour the likes of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake for both the left-back and central defensive berths.

For the large part of the season, across the majority of competitions, Aymeric Laporte has been severely restricted in terms of involvement, and has often found himself being ranked as the club’s fifth-choice central defender.

Subsequently, at a crucial stage of his professional career, the upcoming summer transfer window has Laporte at a crossroads, whilst also attracting interest from a number of top European clubs who continue to monitor his situation.

From the part of Manchester City, transfer officials within the Etihad Stadium have braced themselves for an exit, as they work towards a possible replacement in the form of RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol.

According to a new report from The Telegraph’s James Ducker, Manchester City are now ready to intensify their interest in Gvardiol, having been long-term admirers of the Croatia international – who is widely regarded as one of the finest young talents in world football.

City reportedly consider the 21-year-old as an ideal long-term replacement for Aymeric Laporte, should he leave the club.

Finances concerning Gvardiol are steep however, with the player having a €114 million release clause in his Leipzig contract, while reports elsewhere have suggested that the Bundesliga club could be open to an offer in the region of €100 million.

Whilst the ever-impressive central defender has certainly made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League at some stage in his career, James Ducker reports that it is thought Gvardiol would be ‘open’ to a move to Manchester City.

City have already faced off against Gvardiol once this season, as the recently crowned Premier League and Emirates FA Cup champions took on the challenge of RB Leipzig during the last-16 stage of the UEFA Champions League.

A 1-1 draw in Saxony during the first-leg featured an unstoppable header from Josko Gvardiol, while the second-leg in Manchester was certainly one to forget for the youngster and his teammates as City ran out 7-0 victors featuring a five-goal haul for Erling Haaland.

Manchester City have already proven that they are not frightened to sanction large quantities of cash for the transfers of players that fit their profile to perfection, after securing the signature of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for £100 million during the summer of 2021.

The England international has proven to be a huge success in Sky Blue this season in particular, having somewhat struggled to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s style of play during his first campaign at the Etihad Stadium.