Arsenal have emerged as surprise contenders in the race to bring back former Manchester City defender, Aymeric Laporte. It would represent a possible shock reunion between the Spanish center-back and Mikel Arteta. Arsenal emerged for Laporte but are just one out of several European clubs reportedly looking into a transfer for the 31-year-old player. He is currently with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
While Laporte has a great deal of Premier League pedigree, with five league titles, two FA Cups, and a Champions League title championship to his name during his 180 appearances with Manchester City after signing from Athletic Bilbao for £57 million in 2018, he will also be coming to Arsenal with the potential downside of having played limited game time during Manchester City‘s treble-winning 2022-23 season with only 14 league and Champions League starts, leading to his eventual €27.5 million move to Al-Nassr in 2023. Despite scoring five goals in 30 appearances last season, Laporte has reportedly grown dissatisfied with life in Saudi Arabia, telling AS: “Many players are dissatisfied… in Europe they pay you a good salary, but they take better care of you”.
🚨🇪🇸 Athletic Club and more European sides are keen on signing Aymeric Laporte this summer.
The defender could leave Al Nassr with a good proposal for both parties. pic.twitter.com/Qm12quWJxT
Arsenal emerged their interest from Arteta’s desire for experienced defensive depth. William Saliba and Gabriel remain first-choice. While injuries to Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori last season exposed a lack of reliable cover. Though Jakub Kiwior filled in admirably, Laporte’s trophy-laden career and left-footed profile offer a compelling alternative . Crucially, Arteta worked directly with Laporte during his tenure as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, providing familiarity with the defender’s capabilities.
Al-Nassr have quoted a £20 million asking price, a reasonable figure for Arsenal, if maybe prohibitive for Laporte’s other club Athletic Bilbao where the manager Ernesto Valverde would love a reunion. However, Arsenal are not the only interested party. They have competition from Aston Villa, Marseille, Inter Milan and Napoli.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Inter Milan and Napoli have all expressed interest in Al Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte. pic.twitter.com/sbiQPRwqoF
The biggest hurdle may be the wages. Laporte presently earns £390,000 a week in Saudi Arabia, making him the third highest paid defender in the world. To return to Europe, he will have to take a cut in pay. Also, with Saliba and Gabriel set in the centre of defence, Arsenal will need to persuade Laporte he is going to get enough minutes in the season ahead, with the 2026 World Cup also lurking on the horizon.
Gunners pursuit aligns with potential defensive departures. Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kiwior have their links with exits, freeing squad space and funds . Sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly initiated contact with Al-Nassr, signaling concrete interest . However, the club’s primary focus remains a striker, with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Šeško prioritized. This suggests that Laporte may be a contingency option unless Kiwior departs.
Arsenal’s interest in Aymeric Laporte represents a short-term approach for defensive depth. The club has formally looked into a deal with sporting director Andrea Berta reaching out to Al-Nassr and Laporte, 31, is looking for elite European football to boost his chances to play for Spain at the 2026 World Cup, so Arsenal’s project under Mikel Arteta, his ex-coach at Manchester City makes sense.
There are major obstacles, however. Al-Nassr has requested €20 – 25 million for the defender, which would not pose too much of a risk for Arsenal. However, Laporte will have to take a significant pay cut as he currently earns £397,000-a-week as a player in Saudi Arabia contract. Moreover, there will be stiff competition for Laporte too, notably Aston Villa offering more football and emotional leverage over Athletic Club Bilbao, but with the added issue both those clubs have serious limitations financially.
From Arsenal’s point of view, any decisions made will depend upon getting players out of the club, presumably since Jakub Kiwior is linked with AC Milan. Laporte has all the attributes needed for Arteta’s system with considerable experience of disappointing Premier League matches (180 appearances for City) and left footed calmness that would easily cover Gabriel and win the title race. If Arsenal can get him for somewhere below €25 million, then he is a perfect option for depth and experience. If not, Villa or Bilbao are ready to pounce.
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