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Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, Soccernet.football reports.
The club’s president, Florentino Perez, is keen to bolster the team’s defence following the departure of centre-back Nacho Fernandez to Saudi club Al-Qadisiyah.
The summer transfer window has already been notable for Real Madrid, with the high-profile acquisition of Kylian Mbappe.
The French forward joined Madrid on a free transfer after running down his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe has signed a five-year deal and received a significant signing-on fee of £128 million.
Additionally, the club secured Brazilian striker Endrick from Palmeiras in a £51 million deal. Madrid fans are eager to see how Mbappe and Endrick will enhance the team’s attacking options.
However, the focus now shifts to strengthening the defence.
Reports from Spain (via MadridUniversal) suggest that Perez is considering bringing Aymeric Laporte back to Europe from Al-Nassr, a Saudi club.
Laporte, who played 180 times for Manchester City, left for Al-Nassr last year in a £23.5 million transfer. The Spanish international recently impressed during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, which has rekindled Madrid’s interest.
Al-Nassr are reportedly keen to keep Laporte, having secured him under contract until June 2026. However, Perez remains determined to bring the player back to La Liga, where Laporte previously played for Athletic Club.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has outlined his plans for integrating new star Mbappe alongside Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.
Speaking on John Obi Mikel’s podcast, Ancelotti emphasised the importance of flexibility and mobility in the team’s attacking setup.
The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager said: “I see him [Mbappe] playing up front. The front, the attack, is quite wide – the pitch is 68 metres. We have to cover these 68 metres with the players in front.
“If I ask you where Vinicius played last season, it’s difficult to say. He didn’t [always] play as a left winger, he moved.
“The important key to the attacking players is the mobility of the players. Sometimes they can play on the left, sometimes down the middle.
“Bellingham sometimes played on the left, sometimes in the middle, sometimes went to the right. Rodrygo started most of the game on the right, sometimes I saw him playing on the left. So it’s important, the mobility.
“I want to give them freedom. They have to be able to manage the situation of the game. We played one game against City with both Vinicius and Rodrygo on the left, because we thought we could take advantage.
“We are not so worried about where Mbappe will play. I think it’s true, it’s important about the mobility up front.”
Last season, Real Madrid clinched both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles, solidifying an exceptional campaign. With the addition of Mbappe, Madrid are once again positioned as a strong contender for major trophies in the upcoming season.
