As the summer transfer window continues to roll on, yet more names are heading over to Saudi Arabia in big-money moves, as Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte is now said to be on his way to Al-NassrFC.
Man City have reportedly accepted an offer from Al-Nassr to sign Laporte as he enters the final two years of his contract, with the French-born Spanish centre-half having become more of a squad player over the past year or so. He did come on as a sub in the season opener against Burnley.
Laporte made just 12 Premier League appearances and only a handful more in each of the other three competitions last season, most of which saw his coming off the bench or deputising for Pep Guardiola‘s preferred backline, so the prospect of a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League isn’t all that surprising.
According to the likes of Sky Sports, Al-Nassr were apparently looking to sweep up forgotten Manchester United defender Eric Bailly before they ultimately turned their attention to the 29-year-old World Cup and treble-winning centre-back, leaving the former now unlikely to join the club.
While a full agreement and personal terms are yet to be reached, a Saudi source has assured that the deal is moving forward and is now “pending approval from the PIF [Public Investment Fund]” — i.e. the same pool of state wealth that financed most of these recent transfers and the purchase of Newcastle United in 2021.
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As for the fee City is set to receive, Laporte’s contract length and how much he will earn, the details are still yet to come, though the numbers are likely to be substantial as has been the case with the majority of deals done during this mass exodus to the Middle East.
It is no secret that the wages in Saudi Arabia’s football league are astronomical and the Gulf state is continuing to position itself as an attractive option for players around the world, especially those coming towards the end of their career.
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Around 20 notable European names have already swapped places at top-flight clubs for moves to the controversial country. Should Laporte accept, he will join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Alex Telles and others at Al-Nassr, as well as play against Karim Benzema, former teammate Riyad Mahrez and now Neymar after he joined Al-Hilal.
Featured Image — Aymeric Laporte/Al-Nassr FC (via Instagram)
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Phil Foden picks up Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester City forward Phil Foden has picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season.
Having enjoyed the best statistical campaign to date, with two games still left to play, the Stockport-born star City and England star has swept up his first-ever Premier League POTY award at the age of 23.
The attacking midfielder has already swept up Young Player of the Year twice in his career (2021 and 2022), which was awarded to former teammate Cole Palmer on Friday, and this accolade just goes to show how much of a first-team star he’s become over the past couple of years.
With both awards going to Manc footballers and Foden being the first Englishman to win it since Jamie Vardy in 2015/16, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
Foden has 25 goals and 11 assists this season, his highest tally ever, and with the chance of a domestic double still looming, he could be set for another unreal 12 months in sky blue.
Pep Guardiola’s side simply needs to beat West Ham this Sunday to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title and with a Manchester derby FA Cup final waiting for them next week, the local lad has a big fortnight ahead of him.
Having already become a treble winner with Man City last season, not to mention emerging as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Three Lions, he’s graduated from one of the most talented youngsters to one of the most impressive in Europe – and he’s got the stats to back it up.
Here’s hoping he can round off this year with some more silverware while wearing an England shirt. Here are some of his highlights from this season:
A huge congratulations to Phil Foden on winning the 23/24 Premier League Player of the Year; regardless of who you support, you can’t deny he’s been unreal this season.
In fact, his emergence as a senior figure and somewhat of a leader in this current City side has given us a lot faith for the summer and we’re more convinced than ever that Gareth Southgate must try and build around him if we stand a chance of going for in Euro 2024.
Is it coming home and will a lad from Stockport play a big part in bringing it here?
Cole Palmer wins Premier League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred footballer, Cole Palmer, has won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24 following a spectacular breakthrough campaign.
The ex-Manchester City youth product made his big-money move to Chelsea at the start of this season and has been comfortably one of the best players in the league this year, once again proving the old adage that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Sitting second in the race for the Golden Boot behind former teammate Erling Haaland and shining as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe in his first full season, you could have banked on him winning it months ago.
🔵⭐️ OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. 🧊
Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/HYpthQiOU3
Having bagged a hattrick in Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround against Manchester United as well as bagging four against Everton, just to name a couple of his most impressive performances over the past 12 months, he doesn’t like a player who only made a handful of appearances last year.
With the 22-year-old fittingly netting 22 goals not to mention 10 assists and quickly establishing himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s main man, despite the multi-billion squad assembled around him, it’s been nothing short of a remarkable emergence onto the biggest stage.
Having earned his first senior international call-up through his efforts too, he now looks set to be one the players England fans are dying to see start at the Euros – the point where many Blues are now wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Congratulations to the Wythenshawe native on his well-deserved award and we sincerely look forward to seeing what he does in an England shirt this summer.
As for who will pick up the outright Premier League Player of the Year, surely Palmer picking up the youth award means that Phil Foden is set to mop up the main prize?
A clean sweep for Manc footballers. We like the sound of that.