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Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) head coach Luis Enrique has reportedly told the club's management to sign Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr teammate Aymeric Laporte. The Parisians' backline has suffered recently due to several injuries and the quality depletion in its remaining options.
The Ligue 1 giants have been in the market readily weighing up the available options, and their eyes have reportedly been set on a veteran center-back in the Saudi Pro League. According to El Chiringuito's Jose Alvarez Haya (via Al Nassr Zone), PSG manager Luis Enrique has reportedly asked the club's management to initiate negotiations with Al-Nassr for the transfer of defender Aymeric Laporte.
Laporte, who previously played for Manchester City, has been a crucial figure in Al-Nassr's defense since his arrival. More importantly, the 30-year-old delivered an impeccable performance in national colors, helping Spain to Euro 2024 glory in the summer.
His performance attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos have since stressed their intention to not make any further additions to their squad.
PSG’s financial power and the allure of returning to a top European league could be persuasive factors. But the Saudi project is well known, and the clubs are signing the biggest names in Europe. Al Nassr themselves boast stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, and they will likely be hesitant to part with Laporte given his importance to the team.
PSG facing a depleting backline ahead of the 2024-25 season
Entering the upcoming season, the Parisians have been put in a fix with injuries to centre-backs Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez, who's naturally a full-back but slotted in as a central defender.
Hernandez suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture during their UEFA Champions League defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final. Meanwhile, Kimpembe, who has been previously out for over a year and a half, recently picked up a new injury in training.
That leaves the Ligue 1 club with three centre-back options: Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, and Milas Skriniar. The Brazilian duo of Marquinhos and Lucas Beraldo is likely to be the first-choice pairing.
Meanwhile, Skriniar, who joined from Inter Milan last season, has been underwhelming. Danilo Pereira, who is traditionally a defensive midfielder, has often been deployed by Luis Enrique as a centre-back.
