Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has revealed that both Chelsea and Barcelona wanted to sign him before he opted for a switch to the Etihad Stadium in 2018.
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Almost nine years on from his arrival, one of the most reliable defenders of Manchester City’s most successful era has offered some interesting new insight into how his transfer came about. It turns out the deal that would go on to yield a massive haul of silverware was far from a foregone conclusion.
Speaking in a candid interview, the centre-back - now a FIFA World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain - opened up not only on the rival suitors who fancied their chances of landing him, but also on the reason he came close to snubbing City altogether before Pep Guardiola intervened.
Barcelona and Chelsea Wanted Laporte
In a recent appearance on El Camino de Mario, Laporte confirmed City had faced stiff competition for his signature during his time at Athletic Bilbao.
“There were other clubs very interested: Barca and Chelsea,” the centre-back said, as quoted by AS. “We made the decision, and at the end of the season, I went with the French U21s and suffered a serious ankle injury. Mentally, I wasn’t ready to go to England at that time; it seemed too far from my family.”
The fact that two European heavyweights were circling underlined the reputation Laporte had built in the Basque Country as one of the most coveted young defenders on the continent.
Aymeric Laporte has admitted he regrets leaving Manchester City, describing his time at the Etihad Stadium as “one of the best things ever”.cityxtra.co.ukAymeric Laporte: I regretted leaving Manchester City, the way they care for players is unique
Aymeric Laporte has admitted he regrets leaving Manchester City, describing his time at the Etihad Stadium as “one of the best things ever”.
Twice Asked, Once Persuaded
The move to Manchester was, as many City fans will remember, one Laporte first turned down. The ankle problem, combined with a reluctance to uproot his life, left him hesitant just as City pressed to get a deal done.
“I had doubts. One club backed out because of the injury, but the others kept going,” he added. “We continued talking and I realised I wasn’t ready, especially with the injury. I renewed my contract with the intention of staying, and if the opportunity arose later, I wanted Athletic Bilbao to benefit.”
City did not give up, and roughly 18 months after that first approach the stars finally aligned. Laporte said: “A year-and-a-half later, they called me again. Athletic were having a mediocre season. People expected more from me. I was ready to go to another league, so I went to City. The rest is history.”
That second attempt cost the club £57 million to complete in January 2018, after which Laporte almost immediately made his debut and started justifying the hefty fee.
Laporte's Verdict on Guardiola
At the heart of it all was Guardiola, whose pursuit of Laporte began long before the pair ever worked together. The defender revealed the Catalan had earmarked him even while still in charge of Bayern Munich, plotting the City side he would go on to build.
“When Guardiola was at Bayern, he already had the City project in mind,” Laporte added. “He called me and told me he was going to City, that I was a key player, and that he’d like me to partner with [John] Stones.”
Their relationship, however, was not without its friction. Asked to sum up the manager, Laporte offered a verdict that could be characterised as mixed. “Tactically, he’s one of the best in football,” the defender said. “In terms of interpersonal relationships, perhaps the worst.”
A Glittering City Legacy
Whatever the personal dynamic, the football did the talking. Laporte made 180 appearances for Manchester City, chipping in with 12 goals (including a Carabao Cup final-winning header against Tottenham), and walked away with 13 trophies - among them five Premier League titles and a place in the side that completed the treble in 2023.
The defender left for Al-Nassr in August 2023 before returning to Bilbao in 2025, and the years have only increased his appreciation of what he was part of.
“Incredible. When you leave, you realise even more just how incredible what’s been achieved over the years really is,” he added on his time at the Etihad Stadium. “Since I left, City isn’t what it used to be, and winning has become the norm.”
It is quite the tribute from a man who, but for a phone call from Guardiola and a change of heart, might so easily have lined up for Chelsea or Barcelona instead.