Aymeric Laporte rules out Manchester City exit

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has ruled out the prospect of leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The Spain international briefly lost his place in Pep Guardiola's XI to John Stones but formed an effective partnership with Ruben Dias last term.

Laporte found the back of the net four times in 33 Premier League appearances to collect another winners' medal, and he still has another three years left to run on his contract.

Chelsea have supposedly taken an interest in signing the 28-year-old this summer, with Thomas Tuchel desperately seeking replacements for Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

However, Laporte has now insisted that he has no desire to seek pastures new anytime soon, and he is determined to help City achieve their dream of winning the Champions League next year.

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Speaking to French outlet RMC Sport, the former Athletic Bilbao man said: "Four league trophies, yes, but that's eleven in all. It's not just the Premier League. It's very good for the club and for me. I'm happy to benefit people here too by bringing the Premier League trophy. It had never happened.

"So I'm super happy with this season that I've had, despite an injury at the end of the season. I was able to hold on until the end.

"Yes [I am staying this season], I'm super happy and fit. The team too. There remains only the common objective, the Champions League, but we will do everything to get it this year."

Laporte spent part of his youth career in France with Agen and Bayonne before heading for the Basque Country in 2010, but the former France Under-21 international does not expect to head for Ligue 1 in the near future.

"For now, that's not the goal. I still have three years of contract. I'm happy and the club too. I played a lot of minutes: I am the central defender who had the most," Laporte added.

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"I am a reference and I am very happy that the coach and Manchester City have confidence in me. So why not go on for a long time?"

Laporte has now scored 12 goals and set up three more in 153 games for the Citizens since making the move from Athletic in January 2018 for a £58.5m fee.

The defender has won four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, one FA Cup and two Community Shields under Guardiola, who could still lose one or two of his other rearguard members.

Nathan Ake is understood to be in advanced talks over a return to Chelsea, who are also closing in on the signing of Raheem Sterling for a £47.5m fee.

Oleksandr Zinchenko could also leave if the champions make a move for Brighton & Hove Albion's Marc Cucurella, but the Seagulls are hoping to ward off interest with a new contract for the Spaniard.