Arsenal Target Former Premier League Champion Defender in Transfer Move

Arsenal have made contact and expressed their desire to acquire former Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte, as per recent reports.

The defender, who has attracted attention from his previous club Athletic Club during this transfer window, is being pursued by several teams including Marseille, Aston Villa, Inter and Napoli, alongside Arsenal, according to AS reports. The Spanish international joined Al Nassr for a fee of €25 million (£21.4 million, $28.8 million) in August 2023.

Throughout the previous Saudi Pro League campaign, Laporte featured in 20 matches and netted four goals. While at Manchester City, he worked under current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who served as one of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff. The 31-year-old centre-back secured five Premier League championships, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League during his five seasons at the club.

Arteta may have concerns regarding the defensive cover available behind his first-choice pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel. Players like Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Ben White, despite their adaptability, encountered injury problems during the campaign. Jakub Kiwior performed admirably when deputizing for Gabriel in the final stretch, however there's a shortage of championship-winning expertise should either Gabriel or Saliba face lengthy absences.

Bringing in Laporte would provide quality squad rotation, though he would probably seek clarity on his potential playing time considering how established the regular starters appear to be. During his final campaign in Manchester—when Guardiola achieved the treble—Laporte only made 14 starts combined in the Premier League and Champions League.

Considering the significance of transfers in other positions and the reported level of interest from rival clubs, securing Laporte's signature won't be straightforward if competing teams can guarantee him greater game time.