Report: Manchester City to trigger Aymeric Laporte release from Athletic Bilbao

Manchester City have reportedly decided that they will pay the €50m (£39.5m) release clause to prise young defender Aymeric Laporte away from Athletic Bilbao this summer.

The France Under-21 international signed a new four-year deal with Athletic last year, but it is said to include a release clause that several top European sides are considering forking out.

According to Spanish publication Marca, incoming City boss Pep Guardiola has identified the 21-year-old as one of his top targets this summer and the club will stump up the cash to sign him.

City's neighbours Manchester United have also been heavily linked with Laporte, who has scored three goals in 26 La Liga outings this term, in recent transfer windows.