According to reports from The Metro yesterday afternoon, Manchester City are hoping to bring Athletic Bilbao prodigy Aymeric Laporte to the Etihad this summer via a £25million bid.
The 20 year-old centre-back is considered to be one of La Liga’s hottest prospects, having already registered 73 appearances for the Basque outfit and started in all but five of their league fixtures this season.
And from his 26 outings, the France U21 – who boasts 44 caps for his country across the junior levels – has averaged an impressive 2.2 tackles, 3.4 interceptions, 4 clearances and 2.4 successful aerial duels per match.
That’s generated quite an interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all linked to Laporte’s services in January by The Daily Star.
Now, however, The Metro report Manchester City’s intentions to beat their Premier League rivals to the French defender with a £25million offer.
It remains to be seen how Athletic Bilbao will respond; Laporte’s release clause is currently set at £30million and with interest in the youngster well-know, they could demand it be met in full.