Manchester City are reportedly ready to splash out £39m in a bid to land France international Aymeric Laporte this summer, according to the Guardian.
The Premier League side, who finished fourth in the English top-flight standings this term , have been continually linked with a move for Athletic Bilbao’s highly-rated centre-half ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
Man City boss Guardiola – Photo: Offside / Witters.
The 22-year-old; who has 19 international caps for his country’s Under-21 side, scored five goals and provided two assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga outfit this season.
Laporte, who joined the Spanish club as a 16-year-old back in 2010, has a release clause of £39m in his current deal.
The report suggests that City are preparing a contract offer for the French defender, with new Citizens manager Pep Guardiola seemingly stepping up his player recruitment at the Etihad Stadium having already confirmed the signing of German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund this morning.