Manchester United are considering the possibility of making a bid for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, according to the Metro.
The promising 21-year-old was part of the side that stunned everyone by humiliating Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. The tie was essentially over after the first leg, when a Aritz Aduriz hat-trick helped the Basque side clinch a 4-0 win. They followed it up with a 1-1 draw in the Nou Camp to claim their first trophy for over 20 years.
Despite Laporte’s tender age, he has established himself as a key member of Ernesto Valverde’s side, and thus, is high on Louis van Gaal’s wishlist as he looks for greater reinforcements in defence.
The Metro report, however, that agreeing a fee could prove to be a stumbling block, as a £36.5m release clause was added to the Frenchman’s contract in June.
Nevertheless, Laporte is currently one of the brightest talents in Europe, and would bring a versatility that helps justify his fee. He is most comfortable playing at the heart of the back four, but has also proved that he can play on the left.
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