The big story reported in the Mail this morning is the battle about to be waged to see who can secure the young Athletic Bilbao central defender Aymeric Laporte.
The player has been on the United radar for the past couple of seasons and is now seen as the ideal candidate to solve the defensive frailties that have plagued the club in recent seasons. The player has a £31million buyout clause which whilst not cheap certainly sounds well within the United budget.
What United have over a rival bid would be the greater opportunity for first-team football and Laporte may not want to go the way of Varane who is struggling to get the games.
The 20-year-old French centre-back has been the subject of intense speculation with Guillem Balague suggesting the player would be open to a move to Old Trafford in a tweet:
“On Laporte. Buyout clause £31m. Athletic Bilbao, who expect an offer from MUFC, won't sell for less. Laporte happy 2 go if Utd pays full fee.”
Real Madrid seem to be looking for long-term replacements for both Pepe and Sergio Ramos with ongoing contract talks proving uncertain.
Laporte hails from Agen in France and has been with Athletic Bilbao since joining as as a youth in 2010 with a spell at Basconia where he started his senior career before returning to Bilbao in 2012.
Source: DSG
