Out-of-favour Man City star willing to reduce his €7m per year salary to join Barcelona

Barcelona are in the market for a new left-footed centre-back heading into the summer transfer window. And recent reports have heavily linked the La Liga leaders with a move for Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte.

The 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium this season, with Pep Guardiola preferring the likes of Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake over him. As a result, Laporte has played just seven times (555 minutes) in the Premier League this term.

It has led to Laporte seriously considering an exit in the summer, with Barcelona emerging as the Spanish international’s preferred destination. The Blaugrana, for their part, are also interested in the deal and initial contacts between the two parties have reportedly taken place.

Amidst this, AS is now reporting that Laporte would be willing to reduce his salary in order to seal a summer transfer to Barcelona.

The former Athletic Club star is understood to be pocketing around €7 million per year (gross salary) at Manchester City currently. And, he is reportedly open to the prospect of reducing it further if it helps him secure a transfer to Spotify Camp Nou in the summer.

Man City boss Guardiola has previously made it clear that he would not stand in the way of any player who wants to leave the club.

However, the Premier League champions will not let Laporte leave for a bargain fee, given that they spent €65 million on his signing five years ago and he still has two years on his contract.

The transfer fee aspect could become an issue for Barcelona, who have their hands tied due to the delicate financial situation at the club.

It could lead to the Blaugrana prioritising a move for Athletic Club’s Inigo Martinez, who will be available for free in the summer. In fact, reports earlier today claimed that the Spaniard had already agreed a salary and the length of his contract with Barcelona.

Any move for Laporte or Martinez will be dictated by Barça’s FFP situation. What seems clear is that the former is keen on leaving Manchester City in the summer. And even though if he is ready to reduce his wages, Barcelona’s economic conditions could force them to sign Martinez instead.