The departure of Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City has been announced with a surprising twist. The Spanish defender, after five-and-a-half years in England, has agreed to join Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

• Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte is set to join Al-Nassr FC in the Saudi Pro League after a £23.5m bid was accepted.
• Arsenal, along with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, showed interest in Laporte, but City preferred to sell abroad.
• The move follows other high-profile transfers to Saudi Arabia and signifies a missed opportunity for Arsenal.

Manchester City accepted the £23.5m bid, a decision that brings an end to Laporte’s tenure with the Premier League champions.

Manchester City’s choice to sell to Al-Nassr rather than another Premier League club may have been strategic. Arsenal‘s interest in the player was well-documented, with Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, reportedly keen on Laporte as a possible addition to his defensive line.

This interest was further fuelled by the recent injury to Jurrien Timber and rumours regarding Saudi Arabian interest in Gabriel Magalhaes.

Laporte’s choice to leave England follows the path of his former City team-mate Riyad Mahrez, who made the move to Al-Ahli last month, and further cements Saudi Pro League‘s reputation as a destination for high-profile players.

Despite Arsenal’s interest, other clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa were also keeping tabs on Laporte’s situation.

His limited playing time at Manchester City, coupled with increased competition from new arrivals such as Josko Gvardiol, left many speculating about his next destination.

“A player they really appreciate is Aymeric Laporte,” said Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel, confirming Arsenal’s interest. However, at the time, he also hinted that Manchester City might prefer a different kind of destination for Laporte.

It seems that Saudi Arabia, with its burgeoning football reputation, is that place.