Aymeric Laporte sends Arsenal potential transfer hint amid Man City exit links

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte may have sent a potential Arsenal transfer hint amid talk of a transfer to north London

Manchester City star Aymeric Laporte has congratulated new Arsenal signing David Raya after the latter’s move to the Emirates Stadium was confirmed on Monday.

Raya has joined the north Londoners on an initial loan for a £3million fee, football.london understands. The Gunners will then have the option to make the deal permanent for a fee of £27million next summer if it is viewed as agreeable for all parties – with Brentford admitting that they do not expect him to return to the club.

After Mikel Arteta’s side officially unveiled the Spanish international yesterday, his compatriot Laporte took to the comment section on Raya’s Instagram, replying with two clapping emojis to the goalkeeper’s post. This comes after the City defender has also been linked with a move to Arsenal following Jurrien Timber’s knee injury.

“The knee injury for Jurrien Timber is a serious problem for Arsenal, so we’ll have to see who could be on their list now,” transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said, via Caught Offside. “We wish the best to Timber, let’s hope it won’t be a long injury, but it looks like a significant one, so Arsenal will explore the market.

“Earlier in the summer, Arsenal looked at bringing in a ‘traditional’ centre-back, more than a versatile player like Timber, who can play everywhere in defence. One player they appreciate is Aymeric Laporte – the rumours are true in the sense that he is liked by Arsenal.

“But the problem is Manchester City don’t want to sell another player to Arsenal, they prefer another destination for him, so let’s see if Arsenal return for Laporte or if they try to replace Timber with a full-back instead. Internal discussions will take place on that, with Mikel Arteta involved.”

Laporte and Arteta previously worked together during the now-Gunners boss’ time as City assistant coach. The 29-year-old clearly holds Arteta in high regard too, claiming that the Spaniard was one of the best people he met in Manchester.

Discussing his relationship with Arteta back in 2020, Laporte said: “Mikel is a great coach and, for me, he has been one of the best people I have met in Manchester. He tries to help players all the time, he had a really good relationship with everyone and with me especially.”