Athletic Bilbao have warned Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United that they must meet the £30m release-clause in Aymeric Laporte’s contract if they want to sign the defender.
The 20-year-old’s impressive performances have caught the eye of the Premier League trio this season, who look set to battle it out for his signature at the end of the season.
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However, Athletic president Jose Urrutia has warned the English giants interested in the France international that the club won’t be listening to any offer that doesn’t meet his buy-out clause.
Urrutia said, “We are pleased that Aymeric is still here and we hope that he will stay at the club for many more years,” as quoted by the Daily Express.
“He is a great player. So far, we don’t have any specific offers for him.
“Laporte will only leave if he takes the decision and if someone pays his release clause.”
The Express report that Manchester City aren’t open to paying £30m for the central defender, and had an opening £18m bid rejected by the La Liga outfit, which Arsenal and Manchester United will have noted.
Due to Los Leones’ strict transfer policy of only fielding Basque players, Athletic Bilbao insist that players’ release-clauses are met if they seek an exit from Estadio San Mames.