Aymeric Laporte has wished Nicolas Otamendi well ahead of his move to Benfica.
The Manchester City defender is returning to Portugal, with 23-year-old Ruben Dias making the opposite move to become the new record signing in Pep Guardiola's squad.
Otamendi was outstanding for the Blues in the 2017/18 season when Guardiola dubbed him 'Superman' as he was the rock of a team that broke a slew of Premier League records on their way to the title and 100 points. However, with both Guardiola and his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini the Argentine defender had a reputation for rash challenges that left fans unconvinced, and he was unreliable last season as City surrendered their title to Liverpool.
City have decided to move on without Otamendi this season, with Dias and Nathan Ake brought in to provide defensive options alongside Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia and John Stones. The 32-year-old centre-back will be happily remembered by his teammates though and Laporte was quick to offer his tribute ahead of the official confirmation of the move.
"Brother, thank you very much for all the precious moments we have spent together, on the pitch and outside too, you are an example of person," he wrote. "We will miss you! Good luck in your new adventure." Laporte then added the same message in Spanish, joking that his fellow defender wouldn't understand the message otherwise.
The official announcements of Dias at City and Otamendi and Benfica are expected soon, with Dias in Manchester already to complete his deal.
