AliousWolves Must Hijack Aston Villa’s Move for Champions League-Winning Star to Complete Defensive Overhaul – Laporte Could Be £20m Game-Changer in Race for Europe
As Wolverhampton Wanderers prepare for a pivotal summer under Vitor Pereira, strengthening their backline has emerged as a top priority — and snapping up Aymeric Laporte from under the noses of Aston Villa and Arsenal could be the ultimate power move to supercharge their Premier League ambitions.
Since Pereira’s appointment, Wolves have seen a remarkable improvement in defensive stability, slashing their goals conceded per game in half — from a concerning 2.5 to a far more manageable 1.3. Yet the Portuguese tactician remains intent on reinforcing his squad, believing the current group — despite the resurgence of Toti Gomes and Matt Doherty — needs top-level reinforcements to reach new heights.
Enter Laporte: the 31-year-old Spain international and former Manchester City stalwart is reportedly available for a modest £20 million this summer, and Wolves should pounce. While Arsenal and Aston Villa are monitoring his situation, Molineux may be the only realistic Premier League destination offering the one thing Laporte needs most right now — guaranteed minutes.
The defender, now at Saudi club Al-Nassr, is rumoured to be eyeing a return to European football after growing disillusioned with life in the Middle East. Though he’s maintained a professional front publicly, Laporte hinted in an interview with *AS* that the day-to-day experience in Saudi Arabia has not lived up to expectations:
*”They do look after us, but not enough for my liking… In Europe, they pay you a good salary but also take better care of you.”*
Despite a tweet later walking back the comments, Laporte’s interest in returning to a competitive European league appears genuine — especially with the 2026 World Cup looming. Having lost his place in Spain’s squad since Euro 2024, where he played over 400 minutes against top-tier opposition, he knows that regular football is critical to reviving his international hopes.
That’s where Wolves have a trump card. Unlike Arsenal, where Saliba and Gabriel are firmly entrenched, or Villa, where Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa form a formidable partnership, Wolves can offer Laporte a clear path to a starting role. Displacing Gomes in Pereira’s back three is realistic — and Laporte’s blend of composure, physicality, and elite-level passing would elevate Wolves’ defensive structure instantly.
A proven Premier League performer, Laporte was once described by Pep Guardiola as “the best left-sided centre-back in the world.” Despite some time away from the English game, he remains a commanding presence, strong in the air, composed on the ball, and tactically intelligent. His availability for just £20 million — combined with a relatively clean injury record (he missed just six games for Al-Nassr) — makes this a potential steal.
Alongside targets like Dara O’Shea, Jacob Greaves, and Robert Renan, Laporte would be the crown jewel of Wolves’ defensive rebuild — a move that would transform their ambitions from survival to European qualification.
Having finished just four points off sixth and seventh place under Pereira’s stewardship, the addition of a Champions League winner like Laporte could be the catalyst for something special. And with the player seeking redemption and resurgence, Wolves may just be the perfect match for a second act in the Premier League.
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