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Barcelona have Aymeric Laporte on their 'radar' as they eye transfer for Man City ace
Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City.
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Barcelona are plotting a move to sign Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, as the Cititzens prepare to lose players this summer due to the club's European ban. City are currently facing a two-year suspension from the Champions League, and could see players depart as a result.
City are hopeful that their Champions League ban will be reversed, but might have to wait until August before they are able to have their appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
However, that might not be possible due to the qualifying stages for the competition taking place beforehand.
As a result, they may end up forced to watch the competition from the sidelines this year.
Numerous first-team stars have been linked with moves away from the club, with Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne both tentatively linked with Real Madrid.
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Now, Barcelona have entered the fray, and will reportedly be monitering the situation of Laporte with great interest.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims Barca are interested in signing the defender, who is considered to be one of the best in the world in his position.
The report claims Barca are ready to take advantage of the fact the Citizens won't have Champions League football to offer next season, and will try to pounce this summer.
Barca are after a defender this summer, and believe Laporte could be the perfect acquisition, given his ability to play left-back or centre-back.
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Neymar has told Paris Saint-Germain to agree a deal with the Catalan side over his transfer.
The Brazilian forward failed to return to the Nou Camp last summer, but now seems determined to get his move.
Meanwhile, City are reportedly confident that they will be able to hang on to their best players in the summer.
The Mirror claims the Citizens have spoken with members of the first-team squad and reassured them that they are confident of having the ban overturned.
City are also linked with Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, who is valued at over £90million.
The Argentine striker had been heavily linked with Barcelona, who are on the hunt for a new striker.
Should Inter sell, they will reportedly go after Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who himself is a target for Manchester United.
The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer of 2021, and the Gunners are keen to avoid him leaving on a free.