Arsenal ‘line up transfer raid for THIRD Man City star in 12 months’ as Arteta targets Premier League proven players
ARSENAL are reportedly considering a move for ANOTHER Manchester City star in what would be their THIRD in just 12 months.
Mikel Arteta‘s side set the pace at the top of the Premier League table for much of last season, before falling away towards the end as Pep Guardiola’s men claimed a fifth title in six years.
Aymeric Laporte looks set to leave Manchester City this summerAP
Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City last summerAlamy
Their ultimately unsuccessful title tilt was helped by Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko – both of whom joined from Man City.
Last month, Arsenal were also being linked with a move for Ilkay Gundogan – whose contract was up at the Etihad.
But they failed to acquire the German international, 32, who penned a deal with Barcelona.
Now Arteta is understood to be looking at another player he coached during his time at Man City.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are interested in bringing centre-back Aymeric Laporte to the Emirates.
The Spanish defender, 29, started just 11 league games last season as he slipped down the pecking order behind the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji.
And he could find himself even further away from Guardiola’s starting line-up if Man City strike a deal for RB Leipzig man Josep Gvardiol.
During their Premier League title celebrations in May, Laporte broke down in tears on the pitch.
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It left many fans speculating that he had played his final game for the club.
He then shared a cryptic Instagram post which read: “After the rain, a rainbow; after a storm, the calm; and after an end, a new beginning.”
But Arsenal face competition in their pursuit of Laporte – who has amassed 22 caps for Spain.
Juventus are said to be interested in the ex-Athletic Bilbao man, while Barcelona have previously been linked with him.
