Manchester City could have faced competition from two European heavyweights when they first attempted to bring one of their eventual defensive stars to the Etihad.
The defender had already established himself as one of the most highly-rated young centre-backs in Spain after progressing through his boyhood club’s academy and breaking into their senior side.
His performances attracted interest from several major clubs, but a move to England did not immediately happen. Instead, personal circumstances and a serious injury forced him to delay his decision before eventually making the switch to Manchester.
That decision would ultimately lead to a trophy-filled spell at City, but the defender has now revealed that Chelsea and Barcelona were also pushing to sign him.
Aymeric Laporte Reveals Chelsea Interest
Aymeric Laporte has explained how Pep Guardiola first attempted to take him to Manchester City, while also confirming the extent of interest from Chelsea and Barcelona.
Laporte came through Athletic Club’s youth system before making his senior debut in 2012. His rapid development subsequently put him on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Guardiola had already identified him as a potential target when he was still managing Bayern Munich, and Laporte has now recalled a conversation with the Catalan coach about joining City.
“When Guardiola was at Bayern, he already had the City project in mind. 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 Stones,” he said in quotes relayed by AS.
Laporte then revealed that City were not alone in trying to secure his signature.
“There were other clubs very interested: Barca and Chelsea. 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 injury ultimately played a major role in delaying his move to England.
“I had doubts. One club backed out because of the injury, but the others kept going. 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 returned for the centre-back around 18 months later, eventually completing a deal worth a reported €65m in January 2018.
“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.”
Laporte went on to make 180 appearances for City and collected 12 trophies, including five Premier League titles and the 2022/23 treble.
He left the club for Al-Nassr in 2023 before eventually returning to Athletic in 2025.
