Manchester City have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Aymeric Laporte after the defender put pen to paper on a deal with Athletic Club that runs until 2020.
Laporte, 22, had been identified as one of Pep Guardiola’s key targets as he looks to strengthen the City defence but the former Bayern Munich manager will have to look at alternative targets now.
The France Under-21 international is currently out injured with a broken leg and had reportedly agreed terms with City before the end of the season.
All that was left was for City to match his £39m release clause, although the two-time Premier League champions were always anxious of paying so much for a young defender.
Laporte’s release clause has now increased to £51.6m for the next two campaigns and that then increases to a staggering £55.6m from 2018/19 onwards.
Since August 2013 only two players have made more interceptions in La Liga than Laporte (269).
For more stats on Aymeric Laporte, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
