Barcelona willing to raise funds for pursuit of Manchester City star

Barcelona are keeping a close eye on Aymeric Laporte‘s situation at the Etihad and are willing to sell Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti to fund move for the Manchester City defender.

The 27-year-old, who has been named in the Spain squad for Euro 2020, only made 27 appearances for the Citizens during the 2020-21 campaign, with Ruben Dias and John Stones ahead of him in the pecking order.

The centre-back, who still has more than four years left to run on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium, has made 111 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side since arriving from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.

It is understands that Barcelona are among the clubs interested in signing Laporte, who is reportedly looking for a move away from the Premier League.

However, they are aware that he will still have a large price tag despite City being willing to move him on. They could send some players in the opposite direction to sweeten the deal.

According to AS, Barcelona are prepared to sell Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti to raise funds for the signing of Manchester City centre-back.

The pair have fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona, and may be to surplus requirements. Long-serving club legend Gerard Pique is expected to stay, while the much younger options of Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, and Oscar Mingueza are all coming through.

Barcelona have been working on cheaper deals so far this summer due to their financial situation. They have already signed Laporte’s former City teammates Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia on free transfers.