Mitch Freeley

Premier League leaders Manchester City are close to sealing a £57m deal for French centre-back Aymeric Laporte from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao. The transfer would eclipse the Citizens biggest ever outlay for a player which currently stands at £55m paid to Wolfsburg for midfielder Kevin de Bruyne in the summer of 2015. 

It is thought that negotiations have progressed well for the 23-year old defender, and that City should be able to conclude a deal for the player during the January transfer window, after showing a willingness to match the release clause for the player. Laporte was left out of his sides 1-1 draw with Eibar, amid growing speculation on his future. It is widely expected that the French U21 International will travel to Manchester to finalize the deal with the Citizens. 

The deal of the French player would also end City’s perusal of West Brom central defender Jonny Evans who had been closely linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.

 
Pep Guardiola has been a longtime admirer of Laporte, who is considered to be one of the most consistent young defenders in La Liga. Since making his debut in 2012, the Frenchman has been a regular for Bilbao and has previously been linked with a big-money move to Barcelona. 

The arrival of Laporte would also provide competition in central defence, especially in light of club captain Vincent Kompany’s fitness issues and Guardiola's lack of faith in Eliaquim Mangala. Manchester City currently has a 12 point lead at the top of the Premier League and are set to take welcome West Brom to the Eithad stadium on Wednesday evening.  You can watch the match exclusively on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.