Manchester City treble-winner to complete £23.5 million exit this week

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte is expected to finalise a move to the Saudi Pro League, having missed Saturday’s Premier League win over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium.

The Spaniard, who was part of Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning team last season, was absent from the matchday squad for this weekend’s 1-0 win against Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium amid talks between the defender and Al-Nassr.

Manchester City beat the Magpies 1-0 on Saturday evening, as Julian Alvarez’s emphatic first-half strike extended the Sky Blues’ winning start to the campaign.

Laporte was one of several major absences from the squad, however after making just 12 Premier League appearances last season, the central defender was linked with a potential exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The arrival of Josko Gvardiol for £77.6 million pushed the 29-year-old even further down the Manchester City defensive pecking order, with numerous clubs including Tottenham, Aston Villa and former side Athletic Bilbao all named as possible suitors.

Laporte featured during a 3-0 win over Burnley earlier this month, with the appearance at Turf Moor due to be the Spain international’s last for Manchester City, as the centre-back is set to finalise a move to Saudi Arabia.

Jack Gaughan reports that the 29-year-old will complete a £23.5 million move to Al-Nassr this week, leaving Manchester City after almost six years and 180 appearances.

The defender is expected to travel to the Middle East on Monday, where he will play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozović for Al-Nassr.

Laporte will become the second Manchester City player to move to the Saudi Pro League this summer, after Riyad Mahrez signed for Al-Ahli in a £30 million deal.

The 29-year-old has won 11 trophies since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2018, and scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup Final against Tottenham at Wembley Stadium in 2021.

Laporte also played an integral role in Manchester City’s Premier League title win in 2022, featuring in 44 matches for the Sky Blues despite carrying a knee injury.

Follow City Xtra on Threads here: threads.net/@city_xtra