Man City to move for Aymeric Laporte

Manchester City are set to lodge an official bid to sign long-term target and Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte. The French centre-back is sidelined until the start of August with a broken leg and dislocated ankle.

Laporte, 22,  has been strongly linked with a move to Etihad since the turn of the year, and it now seems the club are ready to make a formal approach for his services.

The Mail claims that City boss Pep Guardiola is eager to have the Frenchman integrated in his squad shortly after securing the signature of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund.

Adding to this, the club will trigger the player's escape clause which currently stands at around £39m.

Laporte made 45 appearances for the Basque outfit during the 2015/16 season.