Aymeric Laporte, a Manchester City center defender, has surfaced as a prospective summer target for Juventus.
According to sources, the 28-year-old Aymeric Laporte is being considered as a possible successor for club great Giorgio Chiellini, who departed Juventus at the end of the season.
Despite the fact that City is at the top of the footballing pyramid, the prospect of a consistent starting role is regarded to be a big influence in the player’s decision.
With John Stones contesting the Spaniard’s starting spot and Ruben Dias almost often among the first three names on the squad sheet, Laporte’s chances of starting most games next season are slim.
With a manager like Pep Guardiola who loves to rotate as often as he does, the player is likely to be moved on this summer, with Nathan Ake and others waiting in the wings to cover for Stones and Dias.
Laporte joined Manchester City for a reported £58.5 million from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, and it is considered that any agreement to sell the defender would struggle to break even, much alone make a profit.
Following the departure of Italy and Juventus great Chiellini, Massimiliano Allegri will certainly be in the market for at least one central defender, but he will also be trying to rebuild a mainly elderly group that concluded the season without a title.
Laporte would bring to the Turin club a sense of serenity on the ball and a winning attitude, as well as a cool and collected brain, which would help to replace the larger-than-life hole left by Chiellini.
Despite the fact that Laporte is nine years younger than the Italian, he has a plethora of experience playing at the greatest level for one of Europe’s finest clubs, having won nine trophies in four and a half seasons with City.
Although this is little when compared to Chiellini’s 22 championships, which include nine Serie A wins and the memorable triumph at Wembley in EURO 2020.
Two weeks ago, the iconic Italian centre defender played his farewell home game for Juventus, receiving a standing ovation and blowing kisses to the crowd after being taken off after 17 minutes – one minute for each season he served with the club.
Chiellini has expressed a desire to return to Juventus in some form following his time in the United States, but his options after retirement are numerous.
He remarked this week, ‘I am at peace.’ ‘I’m pleased with what I’ve accomplished and feel a sense of pride.’