Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has agreed in principle to join Manchester City in the January transfer window.
After missing out on Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United this month, Manchester City moved swiftly into action to fulfil Pep Guardiola’s wish to sign a centre half this month.
It emerged on Tuesday night that the Premier League leaders are prepared to trigger the buy-out clause in their long term target Laporte’s contract with Athletic Bilbao.
The release clause is set at €65m and Manchester City have even agreed to pay another €5m as training compensation, and are now on the verge of signing the French defender.
According to Spanish daily Marca, Manchester City have obtained a yes from Laporte and the two parties have reached an agreement in principle ahead of the defender’s move to England.
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The negotiations have been conducted swiftly and Laporte spoke with the Athletic Bilbao hierarchy on Tuesday to communicate his decision about joining Guardiola and his team this month.
Manchester City are on the cusp of signing the Frenchman and the deal could only fail if Laporte backs down and decide to continue at Athletic Bilbao.
However, for the moment the defender looks likely to be on his way to the Etihad and is expected to complete his move to Manchester City soon.
