Arsenal have joined the race for Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte. The Spain international is wanted by a host of clubs amid continued uncertainty over his future at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham and Aston Villa have both been credited with interest in Laporte, with La Liga champions Barcelona are also keen. Recent reports have insisted the 29-year-old will be free to leave Pep Guardiola's side this summer ahead of Josko Gvardiol's imminent arrival from RB Leipzig.
Last season, Laporte managed only 24 appearances across all competitions due to the consistent performances of Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake. With Gvardiol on the verge of completing his £86 million move to the Premier League, interest in Laporte is set to intensify in the coming days.
The Gunners are close to adding to their defence this summer with Ajax star Jurrien Timber edging closer to completing his £40m move. However, with Champions League football making a return to the Emirates Stadium this season there could be further investment in a bid to bolster Mikel Arteta's defence.
Fortunately for Arsenal, they hold a key advantage over their north London rivals. Back in his Man City days, Arteta left a lasting impression on Laporte. And back in April, the defender hinted how he could be a perfect fit for Arsenal's style of play.
"Mikel Arteta, who was at Man City, knows our style very well. A fantastic manager; I only have good words to say," he explained. "What we're doing alongside Arsenal is fantastic."
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His comments earlier this year came after the defender praised Arteta's man-management. "Mikel is a great coach and, for me, he has been one of the best people I have met in Manchester," he said in 2020.
"He tries to help players all the time, he had a really good relationship with everyone, with me especially."
Arteta has also spoken highly of the defender in the past. Prior to the Spaniard's move to Arsenal, he said: "He's got balls of steel. He may have a French passport but it's like he has raised in Bilbao. He's got the Basque mentality - rock hard.
"You tell him he's got to go toe-to-toe with Salah at Anfield and it's no bother to him."
