Crystal Palace ‘weigh up’ ambitious move for Man City star to create quality partnership
Crystal Palace could have some partnership on their hands next season if they decide to progress with the deal.
Crystal Palace are reportedly weighing up an ambitious move for Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte. The Spaniard has fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola and only made 12 appearances in the Premier League last season.
Laporte finds himself behind the likes of Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and John Stones in the pecking order and is aware his situation is unlikely to improve as the treble winners close in on a £80million move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
According to the Daily Star, Laporte is keen to secure a move away from the Etihad this summer with Crystal Palace hoping to entice him to south London. Laporte still has two years remaining on his deal with the Sky Blues and is valued at around £35m.
Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is said to be a great admirer of the player and is keen to create a top-quality partnership between Laporte and Marc Guehi next season. The 30-year-old has a wealth of experience that Guehi can draw upon in order to take him to the next level.
Noted for his excellent reading of the game and immense concentration, Laporte would make for a superb partner to the athletic and tough-tackling Guehi. Laporte is also extremely versatile and can also play as a full-back if required.
Palace are on the lookout for a right-back as well as a left-sided centre-back and could kill two birds with one stone by signing Laporte. However, it is understood that they are reluctant to meet City’s asking price for the player and would want to negotiate the fee down.
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As a result, Palace are expected to launch a formal bid later in the window. In doing so, they risk Laporte’s former club Athletic Bilbao stealing a march on the race for his signature as they prepare an offer of their own.
Laporte came through the La Liga side’s academy and made 222 first-team appearances before being sold to Manchester City in 2017 for £58m. During his time with the Citizens, he has won five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, three League Cups and a Champions League trophy.
