Barcelona want Aymeric Laporte but need to offload Clement Lenglet – sources

Jun 17, 2021

Barcelona are interested in Aymeric Laporte but Clement Lenglet would have to leave first to make room for the Manchester City defender, sources have told ESPN.

Barca have already completed the signing of Eric Garcia on a free transfer from City this summer but coach Ronald Koeman would also like to add another more experienced centre-back to his squad.

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However, the La Liga side have six defenders on their books and would need to shed two before even thinking about making a move for Laporte, who is at Euro 2020 with Spain.

In addition to Garcia and Lenglet, Barca also have Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza and Samuel Umtiti.

Even without the addition of a new centre-back, Barca are keen to get Umtiti off the wage bill this summer.

The France defender could not get into the team last season after returning from a persistent knee injury but Barca are struggling to find a club willing to take on his salary.

If Umtiti does leave, Barca would still have to move on another centre-back before thinking about Laporte, with Lenglet someone they would consider offers for.

Aymeric Laporte has struggled for regular playing time at Manchester City. Getty Images

Lenglet, a €35.9 million signing from Sevilla in 2018, said earlier in June that he does not see himself leaving Camp Nou this summer.

Meanwhile, sources have said Laporte would be open to offers after falling behind Ruben Dias and John Stones at City last season.

Laporte joined the Premier League side in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao for his €65m release clause. He has made 111 appearances for the club.

Laporte’s fee could also be a stumbling block for Barca, although president Joan Laporta said Wednesday the club will look to player exchanges to make more signings this summer.

“There will be more signings, but not normal signings, given we’re not in [a good financial] condition,” Laporta said.

“We will find the formula to respect the [Financial Fair Play] rules and try through exchanges, with the complicity that entails with other clubs.”

Barca have already signed Garcia, Sergio Aguero and Emerson Royal this summer and sources have told ESPN they will make Memphis Depay their fourth arrival of the postseason in the coming days.