Arsenal are being linked with a move to sign Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte.
Laporte is open to an exit from Manchester City this summer after falling out of favour at the European champions last season, with the Spain international starting just 11 fixtures in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side are also pursuing a deal to sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig and the addition of the left-sided defender could see Laporte further marginalised.
Mundo Deportivo are reporting that the 29-year-old’s former club, Athletic Bilbao, are considering an approach for Laporte, but could face competition from Arsenal and Juventus.
Arsenal secured the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City last summer, with the duo each having a key role as the Gunners challenged their former side for the title.
Mikel Arteta worked with that duo and Laporte during his time on the coaching staff at Manchester City and recently discussed why he has targeted players from his former team in the transfer market.
“Why do we sign players from Man City? “Easy, because they are very good, I know them and I trained them for four years,” he told Spanish outlet Marca.
“I wanted Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko for their amazing talent but also for their ‘human’ skills.”
Read – Six of the most influential Italians in Premier League history
Read Also – Ranking the eight best attacking midfielders in Premier League history