MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 08:26:09| >> :120:22878:22878:

Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde clash over Aymeric Laporte?

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is reluctant to raid former club Athletic Bilbao for Aymeric Laporte, despite the Catalan giants lining up a move, according to a report.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is reportedly reluctant to raid former club Athletic Bilbao for Aymeric Laporte, despite the Catalan giants lining up a move for the centre-back.

Laporte, 23, came through the youth system at Bilbao before making the first team, and has developed into one of the best defenders in La Liga over the last few seasons.

Manchester City have previously been linked with a move for the France Under-21 international, but the player is said to have turned down the move due to his close relationship with Valverde, who was in charge of Bilbao at the time.

According to El Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona chiefs see Laporte as the perfect signing, but Valverde is reluctant to approach his former club over a move.

Laporte, who has a contract at Bilbao until 2020, is said to have a release clause in the region of £53.5m.

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Luiz Suarez and Aymeric Laporte in action during the Copa del Rey game between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao on January 27, 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913

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