Manchester City keen on £40m-rated France and Athletic Bilbao starlet

Manchester City are reportedly ready to try and thrash out a deal for highly-rated France international defender Aymeric Laporte this summer, according to the Mirror.

The Premier League side, who currently sit fourth in the English top-flight and face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon, have been linked with a forthcoming swoop for the Athletic Bilbao centre-half once incoming boss Pep Guardiola has arrived at the Etihad Stadium.

The 21-year-old, who has 19 caps for France’s Under-21 side, but is an outsider to feature in his country’s EURO 2016 squad later this year, has scored five goals and provided two assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga outfit this season.

Laporte, who is valued at around £40m, is expected to return from a broken ankle during the opening weeks of the upcoming 2016/17 campaign.

However manager Guardiola is keen on wrapping up a deal for the defender’s services early, with the futures of fellow centre-halves Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis all uncertain at the Etihad.