Athletic Bilbao chief: Laporte’s release clause must be met

Posted Thursday, April 23, 2015 by squawka.com

Athletic Bilbao chief: Laporte’s release clause must be met
Laporte has eight yellows and a red card to his name this season

Atheltic Bilbao club president insists that if any Premier League club wants to get their hands on Aymeric Laporte, they must first meet his release clause, as per the Star.

According to the report Man Utd have been credited with an interest in the sought-after French wonderkid, who is already a stalwart of the Bilbao defence.

But the Spanish club’s president, Jose Urrutia, has reminded potential suitors that Laporte has a £30m release clause in his contract – and that they aren’t willing to budge on that figure.

He said: “We are pleased that Aymeric is still here and we hope that he will stay at the club for many more years.

“He is a great player. So far, we don’t have any specific offers for him.

“Laporte will only leave if he takes the decision and if someone pays his release clause.”

The 20-year-old centre-half has already played 27 La Liga games this season, helping the Basque club up to eighth in the table.

His shooting certainly won’t be what is attracting Premier League interest, however, as his shot accuracy is currently stuck at 15% – he has hit two shots on target and 11 have been wide of the mark.

Defensively the Frenchman has been solid though, helping his club to the seventh tightest defence in the Spanish top-flight (37 conceded).

The youngster has been impressive in his defensive duties, winning 62% of his headed duels (60/97) and 56% of his tackles (48/85).

If he were to move to the Premier League, it looks almost certain that it would be for one of the current top four.