Arsenal fans notice Laporte's message to Raya as Man City accept transfer bid

16 August 2023 , 08:39

383     0

Aymeric Laporte was impressed with David Raya's move to Arsenal according to Instagram

Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte sent David Raya a message on Instagram after the goalkeeper's move to Arsenal was confirmed - just hours before his own transfer to Saudi Arabia was agreed.

Laporte himself has fallen down the defensive pecking order at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola and played less than 1000 league minutes last term as City won a historic treble. While the defender is familiar with the coaching philosophy of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta given they spent a year-and-a-half together in Manchester while the current Arsenal manager served as Guardiola's assistant, rumours of him moving to the Emirates are wide of the mark.

Speculation did go into overdrive when fans spotted that Laporte had commented two applause emojis under Raya's post confirming he was now an Arsenal player. Many supporters felt that the message was the City star's way of hinting that he could also be lining up in north London sooner rather than later.

The rumours made sense, the Gunners forked out £38million on Jurrien Timber this summer, only to see the versatile defender sustain an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his Premier League debut. It is believed that Timber could be looking at as long as seven months on the sidelines, meaning Arsenal could feasibly look for further defensive reinforcements such as Laporte.

However, any chance of Laporte donning the red and white of Arsenal has been all but eradicated by the fact that City have since accepted an offer for the centre-back from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr. The 29-year-old has entered the final two years of his contract at the Etihad and with City willing to cash in, a switch to the Saudi pro-league now looks on the cards.

Pep Guardiola went back on his word after blocking last-ditch Barcelona transfer

Of course, there remains faint hope for the Arsenal faithful that Laporte could put his foot down and insist he wants to remain in the English top flight. With that being said, the Athletic report that the defender is open to the idea of playing his trade in the Saudi Pro League.

Should Laporte make the move, he'll share a dressing room with some of the game's biggest names, including five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool legend Sadio Mane.

HAVE YOUR SAY!Should Laporte join Al Nassr or stay in the Premier League? Comment below

Aymeric Laporte had been linked with a move to Arsenal but is now expected to join Al-Nassr

Given the recent arrival of Josko Gvardiol for an eyewatering fee of £90million, it is becoming increasingly clear that Laporte will need to seek a new challenge if he wants regular football.

Game time will certainly be something Arsenal could offer now that Timber is ruled out for the foreseeable and it would give the City ace a chance to star alongside close friend Raya, the newest Gunners recruit.

There remains a fortnight left of the summer transfer window and where Laporte ends up remains a mystery, but staying at City now seems the least likely of all the options available to him.

Josh O'Brien