Hell hath no fury like football fans scorn.
It is very easy to start taking a transfer rumour as fact if you see the same story enough times. A move may seem likely, and the source extremely reliable, but until a player has signed on the dotted line, there are no guarantees that a deal will go through.
For the past few months, Manchester City have been heavily linked with Athletic Bilbao’s brilliant young defender Aymeric Laporte. It is in open secret that Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of the 22-year-old and was keen to bring him to the Etihad Stadium.
Aymeric Laporte's transfer to Manchester City is imminent. https://t.co/yUcaF78rBI #MCFC #ESP pic.twitter.com/ljV89mQpEA
— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) June 11, 2016
Laporte is widely acknowledged as one of the brightest prospects in world football, with his superb reading of the game and excellent use of the ball belying his tender years. Accordingly, City fans were cock-a-hoop about his supposedly imminent arrival.
However, despite many experts assuming his move to Manchester was a mere formality, the youngster surprised everyone on Monday by penning an extension to his current deal at Athletic Club until 2020, bumping up his release clause in the process.
Aymeric Laporte has officially extended his contract at @AthleticClub. His release clause stands at €70m (£55.6m). pic.twitter.com/CHSqEFvrME
— Messi Minutes (@MessiMinutes) June 13, 2016
It is a decision that has been commended by many. This is after all a young player who has refreshingly decided to spurn the opportunity of more money and fame elsewhere to continue his footballing education at the club that gave him his big break.
But such was the hope – and belief – amongst City supporters that he was their player in waiting that some they’ve reacted with annoyance and even angry resentment. We assume that this lot are from the youngster end of the Blues’ spectrum, as they’ve not taken it well at all…
WHAT THE FUCK LAPORTE
— ㅤ (@SimplyKun) June 13, 2016
OH FUCK OFF LAPORTE
— ㅤㅤㅤ (@DxBruyne) June 13, 2016
Fuck off Laporte ??
— Ferry Weismann (@ferryweismann) June 13, 2016
Fuck Laporte. Shit player TBH. He's injury prone and is shit. Never wanted him at city
— Kenan. (@FUTGlVEAWAYZ) June 13, 2016
@Laporte bottle job. You knew you couldn't cut it at a higher level.
— Jake Platt (@Jake__Platt) June 13, 2016
@Laporte Enjoy your shit career
— ● (@PandaGCMC) June 13, 2016
Imagine being as gutless as laporte, staying at a bang average club with no ambition ? suit yourself lad, 40 mil saved then
— Kris noble (@kri5ti4n) June 13, 2016
Weak mentality by Laporte
— Billy (@Kunbelievable) June 13, 2016
Laporte has proved he's got a weak mentality, he can stay away for now #mcfc
— Ginger Prince (@buyingtheleague) June 13, 2016
Good thing he broke his leg
— Rasmus (@RasmusOLindberg) June 13, 2016
Laporte is a rat https://t.co/aJUDkSqsf5
— Rasmus (@RasmusOLindberg) June 13, 2016
Hahahaha Laporte what an unambitious cunt
— Con (@ConjMcfc) June 13, 2016
No ITK or transfer source was wrong about the Laporte, no one predicted him to be a weak minded pussy and back out last minute
— KD (@KunDeBruyne) June 13, 2016
LAPORTE IS SO DUMB?? ??? @MCFC https://t.co/wR21oVBuXq
— Sam (@little_aguero16) June 13, 2016
Laporte is shit anyway
— Leroy Is Bae (@ManLikeLeroyy) June 14, 2016
Didn't want Laporte, he's shit anyway
— Stuart Walker (@BillyBlu22) June 13, 2016