‘I’d beat AJ... easily’
FURY TAKES ANOTHER SHOT AT CHAMP /PAGE 52
CITY are closing in on defender Aymeric Laporte – but they may have to break their club record fee to land him.
United legend Gary Neville urged the Reds to get involved in the chase for the 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao star’s signature, tweeting: “This lad can play!”
But City are the only serious bidders at the moment, despite past interest from Barcelona – and they are being told they would have to stump up his £56.9m release clause, plus another £4.3m in the training fees Bilbao would be due under UEFA rules.
That would smash City’s club record fee of £54.5m, the fee they spent on Kevin de Bruyne in 2015.
Reports in Spain suggest the deal has been struck, but M.E.N. Sport understands the two clubs are still wrangling over the fee – and the deal may not even get done before next week’s transfer deadline.
That could complicate matters for City, as his release clause is said to rise to £65.6m in the summer.
Pep Guardiola tried to make Laporte one of his first signings when he took the reins at City in the summer of 2016, but a deal fell down at the last minute when the France U21 international decided it was not the right move at the time.
Laporte is now keen on a move to the Premier League and City want to reinforce their defence, despite Vincent Kompany returning to the squad for the Carabao Cup victory at Bristol City.
The Blues want another central defender and remain interested in West Brom skipper Jonny Evans.
The Northern Ireland international would be a much cheaper option, but Guardiola is keen to bring in a player who would add to the youthful profile of the team he is building at City.
The Blues are also pursuing Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, but are in no hurry – and could wait until summer with the player cup-tied for the Champions League.
Why Pep was happy to wait for defender: Page 61