Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte is undoubtedly one of the most highly rated centre-backs in world football at the moment. The French defender has been constantly linked with a move away from Bilbao, with top European clubs are vying for his signature.
In a recent interview with the French media, the 21-year-old commented on his future plans, and spoke about the constant link with a move away from Bilbao. European champions Barcelona, French outfit PSG, and few heavyweight English clubs are thought to be interested in signing Laporte.
The French defender says that Barcelona are arguably the best club in the world at the moment, but he is not angling a move at the moment. There has been no contact from Barcelona, as yet. Laporte is calm and focussed on the job at hand, and he is waiting for the right offer from an European giant.
“For now, I’m at Athletic and focused on the season at hand. Barca are the best team in the world, but for now there is nothing concrete and no-one has spoken to me directly. I wait patiently,” he said.
“The Barca rumour transpires in every transfer window. The latest rumours even talked of interest from PSG. Newspapers like to insist, but it’s nothing really.
“As for possible contact with Barca, you have to ask my club because I’m under contract. Athletic have never mentioned any interest from Barca to me.”
Catalan based newspaper Sport has published another update on Laporte’s future, where they claim that Barcelona could be trumped by Manchester United in the race for the French defender.
While Barcelona are going through a slightly-difficult financial condition, the same can’t be said about Manchester United, who are on course to becoming the richest club in the world by 2016-17.
Laporte prefers to stay in Spain, so Manchester United are going for the killer plan to stop Bilbao from selling their prized asset to Barcelona. The Red Devils are ready to meet Laporte’s €50m release clause and the club have already started making contacts with the player’s agent.
United believe that the key to the move is to agree a personal deal with the player. Sport reckon, United are ready to offer €7m-per-season for Laporte, a deal which I think the youngster would find hard to refuse.
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