The new City defense player, Aymeric Laporte shows the jersi number that he will wear later. - ManCity photo
LONDON: Manchester City completed Aymeric Laporte's move earlier this morning while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reportedly arrived on the Arsenal training ground to complete his move from Borussia Dortmund before the transfer window ends today.
British Premier League predecessor, City reportedly paid 57 million pounds (RM314.48 million) - the club's highest record - for the Athletic Bilbao defense, Laporte, over 55 million pounds (RM303.47 million) paid for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.
The 23-year-old also emerged as the second most expensive defense in history behind Virgil van Dijk, forcing Liverpool to spend £ 75 million (RM413.85 million) to get it from Southampton earlier this month.
CITY reportedly paid RM314.48 million to get Aymeric Laporte overcame the value paid for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015. - ManCity Photo
Last week Alexis Sanchez accompanied Manchester United from Arsenal in exchange for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and with increasing interest, Arsenal's Arsene Wenger was seen signing Aubameyang to strengthen his attack.
"I am very happy to be here," Laporte said in a statement on a Manchester City web page.
"City is an insightful club and they are one of the best troops in Europe.
"I can not wait to work under Pep Guardiola and try to help the club achieve its glory."
AYMERIC Laporte (three from left) started practicing with City. - ManCity photo
Guardiola said Laporte was ready to come down but needed time to adjust to the Premier League.
"He is fit and has been in action before," Guardiola said.
"Of course he needs to adjust because the Premier League is very special from various angles.
"He's smart, quick to read the situation, and even for English players, when they face the Premier League situation, it's hard for them. We're not going to be in a hurry because he's not coming for three months, but five years."
Guardiola has already spent over 200 million pounds (RM1.1 billion) to fortify his fortunes, bringing in Laporte after Benjamin Mendy (52 million pounds - RM286.9 million), John Stones (47.5 million pounds - RM262.1 million) and Kyle Walker (45 million pounds - RM248.3 million). - AFP