Real Madrid are reportedly interested in reinforcing their defence with Athletic Bilbao’s centre-back Aymeric Laporte, Spanish sports newspaper Marca has claimed.
The Basque club are not willing to negotiate the Frenchman’s exit, and they will only let him go if he pays his 42-million-euros buy-out clause. That’s the answer they’ve given to every club that has asked about Laporte, including Barcelona and Arsenal.
However, Los Blancos want to take advantage of Athletic’s interest in Asier Illarramendi to facilitate a deal for Laporte. According to Marca, during negotiations over Illarramendi’s transfer, Real Madrid directors have shown Athletic their willingness to bid for Laporte next summer.
Yet, president Josu Urrutia was clear about the defender’s price. Like he did with Javi Martinez, Fernando Llorente and Ander Herrera, he will only accept a bid that matches the buy-out clause.
The 20-year-old is one of the most promising defenders in Europe. In a couple of years he has become the leader of Athletic’s defence. He arrived at the Basque club’s youth teams in 2009 and he spent a year on loan at Basconia before joining the first team.
Well I think this will be a good deal only if he is really worth the price. I have always implore that REAL aquire a strong central back. It’s an imperative to me for Real to get DE GEA. He is more capable of protecting his goal line on crossing balls and a one to one situation.