Manchester City 'will not block Aymeric Laporte exit'

Manchester City are reportedly prepared to let Aymeric Laporte leave the club this summer.

Since joining the Citizens from Athletic Bilbao in a £57m deal in 2018, Laporte has made 172 competitive appearances, chipping in with 12 goals and four assists.

Over the years, the Spanish defender has featured heavily in Man City's last four Premier League title wins.

However, his role within the side has diminished this season, having featured in just 17 matches across all competitions.

Although he missed the first two months of the season due to a knee problem, Laporte has seemingly dropped down to Pep Guardiola's fifth-choice centre-back.

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The Man City boss has tended to utilise Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake over the Spain international.

Despite having a contract with Man City until June 2025, Laporte recently hinted that he is looking to move away this summer in a bid to find regular playing time.

According to the Daily Mail, the Citizens will not stand in the way if Laporte does opt to leave the club at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but Man City are not keen to sell to a Premier League rival.

Man City's stance is different from the position that they held last summer when they allowed Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to join Arsenal, while Raheem Sterling completed a move to Chelsea.

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Laporte is likely to have a number of options available to him overseas, with La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid showing an interest.

The reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked alongside Serie A sides Juventus and Roma.

Laporte played the duration of Saturday's 3-1 home victory over Leicester City, but he is expected to drop down the bench for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Man City will head to Germany with a substantial advantage in their quarter-final tie after recording a 3-0 victory in last week's first leg.