Arsenal are hoping to inflict more misery on Manchester City in the transfer market after finalising a deal for Declan Rice.
Arsenal could be about to get one over Manchester City again in the transfer market as Mikel Arteta lines up another raid on his former club with a potential move for Aymeric Laporte. Reports suggest the treble winners have named their asking price for Laporte as Pep Guardiola prepares to sell the centre-back this summer, and the Gunners could swoop to sign a third player from City over the space of 11 months.
The Gunners are looking to bolster their ranks ahead of the new season after missing out on the Premier League title, finishing five points behind eventual champions City. Laporte has been part of four of the last five Premier League title triumphs but the 29-year-old has struggled for game time.
Several clubs are lining up a move for the French-born defender, a £60million signing from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, as he considers a move away from the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal could face competition from north London rivals Tottenham as well as Serie A giants Juventus.
According to Italian outlet TuttoJuve, City want at least £25.5m for Laporte and will use the funds to target Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, with the German outfit recently admitting the Croatian is keen to join Guardiola’s men.
Arteta has already committed to spending over £200million this summer after acquiring Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea for £65m. They are set to complete a £145m double deal for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber as the pair underwent medicals with the club on Friday before their respective moves from West Ham and Ajax.
But the Spaniard is keen to make improvements all over the pitch and could add yet another centre-back to his backline, despite already having Ben White, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Rob Holding at his disposal.
Laporte may be keen to reunite with Arteta after briefly working with the Spaniard at the Etihad Stadium before he left to take charge of Arsenal in December 2019.
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