‘Glad we learned our lesson’, won’t make that mistake twice’ – Man City fans react to club’s stance on Aymeric Laporte transfer

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that claims the club is willing to sell Aymeric Laporte – but have no intention of selling defender to a Premier League rival this summer.

The 28-year-old has made 171 appearances across all competitions for the Citizens since joining the club from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, winning eight trophies including four Premier League titles.

However, Laporte has been forced to settle for a squad-rotation role under Pep Guardiola this season, and has been reduced to just six starts in the Premier League.

With John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake all seemingly preferred by Guardiola in central defence, Laporte is said to be keen to seek pastures new ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

The Spain international allegedly has a ‘concrete possibility’ of leaving the Etihad this summer, and a host of top European clubs have been credited with an interest in his services.

Cash-strapped Barcelona are understood to have held an interest in Laporte for some time, while Real Madrid, Juventus and Roma are also keeping tabs on his situation at City.

A recent report claims that Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to join the race, and have made an enquiry for the left-footed defender.

However, according to Football Insider, Manchester City are willing to sell Aymeric Laporte – but are unwilling to sell the Spaniard to a fellow Premier League club and strengthen a potential rival.

A move abroad remains a possibility for Laporte, though, and a return to Spain could be an option having previously spent close to eight years with Athletic Bilbao in the club’s academy and first team.

Laporte is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2025 and is believed to be valued by City at around €40m (£35.6m).

The report shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

@hlvrz: “Finally we learned our lesson”

@UncannyThomas: “Glad we learned our lesson”

@Billal_Ait: “Good we won’t make that mistake twice”

@IshaanG05212156: “Good we’ve learnt from our past mistakes”

@th9230: “Ahhh so we’ve learnt our lesson by giving good players to rivals.”

@Mustainel_szn: “Finally applying that logic”

@mcfcbae: “I could care less where he goes unless it’s in the prem. Txiki and co don’t you dare sell him to a premier club”

@Burish5: “Dont u dare give him to the rest of big 6 we already dug our graves giving players to Arsenal”