Arsenal are very busy in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners haven’t completed multiple deals like Pep Guardiola has at Manchester City, but Andrea Berta is still working really hard to bring in new signings.
All eyes are on a new striker, while a top-class winger is a necessity as well. Martin Zubimendi is expected to arrive in the middle of the park to make Arsenal stronger, while Kepa is also on his way to Arsenal in goal.
To add to all of the above, Arsenal need a backup defender, and they have approached signing a former Manchester City player.
Arsenal have ‘knocked on the door’ to sign Aymeric Laporte
Arsenal are on the market for a new defender this summer.
Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could both leave the Emirates in the coming weeks, while Kieran Tierney has completed his return to Celtic.
Arsenal still have options at the back, but bringing in a new defender, preferably someone who can play as a left centre-back and left-back if required, would be a wise move.
Lille’s Alexsandro Ribeiro has been linked with Arsenal, while long-time target Jorrel Hato is said to be on the Gunners’ radar again as well.
Now, AS have revealed that Arsenal are among the clubs who have ‘knocked on the door’ of Aymeric Laporte to see if they can sign him.
The defender joined Al Nassr from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, and he could be on the move this summer.
Along with Arsenal, European sides Athletic Club, Aston Villa, Inter and Napoli are also interested in signing Laporte before the start of the new season.
What Pep Guardiola has said about Arsenal target Aymeric Laporte
Guardiola is widely regarded as the greatest manager in the history of football.
The Spaniard has had a huge impact on many big-name coaches in the world today, including Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who worked as his assistant.
Guardiola was always a big fan of Laporte, so much so that he once named him the best player in the world in his position.
He said in January 2020, as per MEN: “It’s incredible. We have missed him a lot, he’s the best left central defender in the world. Imagine the best teams in the world lose their best central defender. We miss him a lot because he’s a specialist left foot where our buildup. He is fast, strong in the air.
“He has something that we don’t have in the squad. His left foot and many actions to build up to make it quicker and better – we don’t have it, not because the other ones are not good but he has the only left foot as a central defender and for the way we want to play that is so important. His character and mentality and winning, he has all the attributes.
“For me, when he is fit, he is the best left central defender in the world.”
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