Manchester City could reportedly be offered Sergi Roberto as part of the deal for Aymeric Laporte to join Barcelona this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona are pulling out the big guns in order to secure the services of Aymeric Laporte in the summer transfer window. The Blaugrana are ready to offer Sergi Roberto as part of the deal to sign the 27-year-old Spanish international.
Laporte has established himself as one of the most dependable defenders in Europe ever since his time at Athletic Bilbao. Since joining Manchester City in January 2018, the player has only taken his game up a notch, although 2020/21 was a difficult season for him following the resurgence of John Stones.
Till date, the 27-year-old has featured 111 times for Manchester City, even chipping in with 8 goals and 3 assists. Laporte even got a long-awaited break in international football recently after making his debut for Spain and things are looking up for him. Heading into the summer transfer window, though, there have been suggestions that he is dissatisfied at City, which has alerted Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are in the market for a left-footed centre-back after having signed Eric Garcia already on a Bosman move. The eagerness to sign another central defender is not unfounded, as Samuel Umtiti does not have a future at Camp Nou, with Barcelona desperate to offload him this summer.
To that end, Laporte has emerged as an option that Barcelona are considering, with a number of other left-footed centre-backs also on their radar. However, Manchester City are expected to charge a premium amount on the 27-year-old Spanish international, which is where things get a little complicated for Barcelona.
However, the Blaugrana might have an ace up their sleeves as they are ready to offer Sergi Roberto as part of the deal to land Laporte. Manchester City are indeed interested in the versatile star, with Barcelona prepared to cash in on him. In fact, Barcelona have also been approached by City over the prospect of a summer move.
If the stars align perfectly, this move could then see the light of the day, with Laporte possibly becoming the third player to swap Manchester City for Barcelona this summer after Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia.