‘Think he might leave’, ‘too big to be a squad player’ – Man City fans reacts as Laporte drops fresh transfer hint over his Etihad future

Manchester City central defender Aymeric Laporte says he will ‘see what happens’ after the Euro 2020 tournament as he provided an interesting hint on his Etihad future – which have got many fans talking.

The 26-year-old Frenchman had been an automatic choice since signing in January 2018 from Athletic Bilbao for £57 million – a club record at the time.

However, the 2019/20 season was not so successful for the defender. He suffered a long-term Achilles injury in the early stages of the campaign, forcing him to miss over half of their fixtures.

Pep Guardiola has started to use Laporte slightly more regularly as he continue his rotation system with his centre-backs this season, but the first-choice partnership is Stones and Dias. 

Back in February, the 27-year-old was asked about his playing time, to which he responded (via Manchester Evening News): “I’m happy at Manchester City – I always thought I’d spend many years here. I hope that will happen.”

However, in an interview with the Independent, Laporte seems to have changed his stance somewhat.

“It’s a very different challenge because I never played less than this year. For me it’s very different, that is difficult to accept,” the 27 year-old explained.

“It’s good. He [John Stones] was not playing during the last two years but he’s come back now. I’m happy for him to enjoy his football. I didn’t get benefits [from added competition in the team] because I played less, but it’s good,” he continued.

“When you asked me that in this period (February), I was playing more, I think. The situation is very different now. I will not say nothing here – it’s something personal.”

These Laporte’s comments have got some Man City fans talking, who took to the social media to express yours thoughts and opinions.

saying this just before the biggest game of the season is not a good idea

— Elton-shark🇿🇼 (@EltonGotosa) May 28, 2021

Yeah I think he might leave

— Aaron (@AarxnMCFC) May 28, 2021

@Laporte please don't go 😭

— Kyle (@MCFCKYLEEE) May 28, 2021

He's leaveing. Painful to say but he's leaving. Too big to be a squad player.

— The Fellow From The Klan Of Long Bearded GOATS 🐐 (@BeardedGoatKlan) May 28, 2021

While Laporte should fight for his place – it’s not comparable. Stones in poor form was much worse than Laporte in poor form. Laporte is not as deserving of being dropped Indefinetly as stones would. I agree he doesn’t deserve to start – but it ain’t the same

— Humble KDB (@ManchesterBleu) May 28, 2021

He never said he wanted to leave

— MJ (@NothingBxtNets_) May 28, 2021

John Stones was called out by every pundit and newspaper, he was almost sold to Newcastle had Garcia not decided to leave and he was watching from the bench majority of last season yet he chose to stay and fight, while Laporte feels entitled?? He can go, he isn't irreplaceable

— Gelson (@izunmc) May 28, 2021