"Knocked on the door": Arsenal now want to sign £408k per week CL winner, available for less than £23m - report
Arsenal could pursue a new central defender during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners were keen on landing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth earlier this year, but the Spaniard chose to join Real Madrid instead.
The club are eyeing an alternative solution, and Spanish outlet AS claim that they have ‘knocked on the door’ for Al-Nassr’s Aymeric Laporte.
Nothing else is mentioned about Arsenal, but Al-Nassr want to recoup part of the £23 million fee paid to Manchester City two summers ago.
Laporte, who won the Champions League with City in 2023, has a year remaining on his £408,000 per week contract at the Saudi Pro League giants.
Arsenal could sign Laporte if he accepts a massive pay cut
The Spain international has a proven record in the Premier League with City. He made 181 appearances for the Cityzens, with 121 of those in the English top flight.
Laporte was a consistent performer for the Mancunian giants, but the 31-year-old made a surprise move to the Saudi Pro League amid interest from European rivals.
Arsenal were among the clubs interested in recruiting the French-born star in 2023, but the Cityzens did not want to sell another player to them due to the title rivalry.
We are not surprised that the Gunners are now contemplating an approach. Still, a transfer seems a distant possibility unless Laporte agrees to multiple conditions.
Arsenal could be willing to pay a decent fee for his services, but Laporte may have to accept a reduced starting role behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Furthermore, he will have to accept a significant pay cut on his £408,000 weekly wages. He may have to agree to at least a 50 percent reduction to return to England.
Laporte has been out of the Spain squad since November last year, and could boost his World Cup selection prospects with a Premier League comeback.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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