3 high-profile center-backs Barcelona should target this summer

#1 Aymeric Laporte

The Manchester City star may consider leaving the Etihad this summer.

One of the finest defenders in Europe at the moment, Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte would greatly improve Barcelona's defence. The Spaniard's place in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up is under threat due to the powerful partnership of John Stones and Ruben Dias recently. This could force him to look for greener pastures elsewhere.

📊| Stat of The Day: Ruben Dias and John Stones have only conceded one goal in 900 minutes of football together.#ManCity | #MCFC pic.twitter.com/ALkKzqQjym

— City Chief (@City_Chief) January 10, 2021

Laporte is a world-class centre-back who could easily cut it at Camp Nou. Barca's preference for a centre-back is to sign a left-footed one and the 27-year-old isn't only left-footed but also able to function as a left back.

This would give Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman more options, especially with Junior Firpo reportedly set to be offloaded this summer.

The player currently has a market value of €45 million as per Transfermarkt. That puts him within Barcelona's reach. With the Cityzens also reportedly interested in signing Roberto, it could make a lot of sense to pull off a swap deal.

Laporta is a brilliant ball-playing defender with decent passing ability, composure and solidity. As a player who represented Athletic Bilbao for many years, the defender already has enough experience to light things up in La Liga. It remains to be seen if Barcelona will eventually secure his signature.

Laporte had an impressive outing with Manchester City last term, scoring twice from 27 games as the Citizens ran riot on their way to winning the Premier League title and the Carling Cup.