Reports in Spain understand the highly-rated Athletic Bilbao defender is now set to join the Etihad club after Pep Guardiola identified him as his number one target
Manchester City have moved a step closer to making their first signing ahead of Pep Guardiola's summer arrival after agreeing to trigger Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte's release clause, according to Marca.
Reports in Spain understand City are willing to stump up the €50m (£39.5m) fee required to prise Laporte away from Bilbao, who have dug their heels in and refused to negotiate a lower price.
City officials have reportedly decided to act after Guardiola told them Laporte, a 6ft 2in ball-playing centre-back, was his number one transfer target.
Bilbao raised the buyout clause in Laporte's contract after he signed a new deal until 2019 last summer.
- Goal