Aymeric Laporte flattered by Barcelona link

Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has revealed that he is flattered to be linked with a move to Barcelona.

The 20-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in European football, with his performances over the last two seasons drawing a host of outside interest.

However, the Frenchman has insisted that he is "happy at Bilbao".

"It's amazing that La Blaugrana has been looking at me. When we're talking about Carles Puyol, we're talking about a myth of football," he told L'Equipe.

"And Barca won everything with him in recent years. It would be a dream. But I have a contract with Athletic until 2018. At the moment there is nothing concrete.

"I am happy at Bilbao and have a clause of €36m (£30m). If one day it's time to leave I will think about it but at the moment, I'm calm. Staying at Athletic a disappointment? No. In any case I'm on a great team and playing in one of the best Leagues in the world."

Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest.