Report: Manchester City ready to trigger Laporte's £39M release clause

Manchester City is ready to activate Aymeric Laporte's £39-million release clause in a bid to sign the highly rated 22-year-old defender from Athletic Bilbao this summer, according to the Guardian's Ed Aarons and Fabrizio Romano.

Fresh off the signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund on Thursday, incoming manager Pep Guardiola has apparently ratcheted up efforts to reinforce the defence. There are questions over the long-term fitness of captain Vincent Kompany, and Guaridola has identified Laporte as the next cornerstone of City's back line.

The Citizens are reportedly drafting an offer to Laporte and his agents, former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol and Spain international Ivan de la Pena, before formally submitting a bid to Bilbao.

Laporte is currently recovering from a broken leg and a dislocated ankle suffered during a match with France's under-21 side.

He has established himself as one of the world's most in-demand centre-backs, making more than 100 appearances in La Liga.