Athletic Club confirms payment of Laporte's release clause; move to City imminent

It's just a matter of time before Aymeric Laporte completes his transfer to Manchester City after Athletic Club announced Monday that the French defender's release clause has been paid.

Laporte is expected to become City's club-record signing when he joins the Premier League leader for a fee worth €65 million (£57.1 million). He confirmed his departure via social media.

A statement on Athletic's website indicates that Laporte paid the release clause in his contract.

... Aymeric Laporte has met the requirements demanded in the applicable legislation for the valid unilateral resolution of the employment contract that bound him to our Club. Said certification indicates that the player has unilaterally shown his will to terminate the contractual relationship that bound him since 2009-2010 season and that the amount of compensation established in the contract has been deposited.

Athletic Club would like to thank the player for his dedication during the time he has been with the club.

The 23-year-old defender reportedly completed a medical with City on Sunday and is set to be officially unveiled Tuesday, according to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports.

Laporte's expected arrival will result in City exceeding the club-record transfer fee it paid to sign Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg for £55 million in 2015.