After Losing Out On Sanchez, Man City Set To Sign La Liga Star; Medical Next Week
REUTERS/Vincent West
Manchester City have laid low in the winter transfer window following an overwhelming window over the previous summer. However, they are set to record their presence with a move, as the window borders closer to its conclusion.
The Citizens have reportedly agreed on a deal to sign illustrious defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.
The Mancunians hit the valuable defender’s £57m release clause, which subsequently crushes their former club transfer record of £55m, which acquired them the services of Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.
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The former Basconia man holds a transfer release clause of €65 million, obliging the Spanish club to accept any offer beyond the line.
Guardiola, being a long-term admirer of the star, endured a failed attempt to sign him over the summer, as the Basque club snubbed City’s £38 million offer.
However, the influential tactician went for the release clause of the young talent this time, despite already spending around £50 million on another young defender in John Stones previously.
Laporte was left out of squad of the Athletic-Eibar game tonight. All agreed with him. Monday #MCFC plans to pay buy out clause and, if enough time, medical. Last I heard it was a 4 years and a half contract pic.twitter.com/o2JhYFQdiI
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/blamefootball/status/957037612702711809
Pep Guardiola was reluctant to provide any details regarding their pursuit of the Athletic centre-back. Nevertheless, the Spanish tactician succeeded in persuading the Spanish club to let go of the France international.
When inquired whether the 23-year-old was a player of interest, the Man City gaffer proclaimed: “There were players in the past who we were interested in and we will be in the present and the future.
“I always try to do the best for the club; knowing the players that we have and knowing the players that can improve our squad.”
As of now, the instrumental figure is set to arrive in England next week, and is believed to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad, which would bind the Frenchman to operate for the Sky Blues for long-term.
Written by Hritwik NE 
Passionate writer, coated in Blue.