Manchester United target Aymeric Laporte has signed a new contract with Athletic Bilbao which will keep him at the club till 2019 with a release clause of a 50 million.
21 years old, Laporte is one of the most talented up-coming defenders of his generation and was being monitored by Manchester United as a possible transfer target for this summera s transfer window. However the club has confirmed that the Frenchman has extended his contract till 2019 with a reported release clause of a 50 million.
Such a contract and release clause effectively ties up Laportea s future with Athletic Bilbao while at the same time forcing any prospective suitor to pay a princely sum in order to procure his services. Though Manchester United are keen to sign a defender in order to bolster their defence, a release clause of a 50 million is likely to put off their pursuit.
According to Squawka, Laporte ranks 7th in the list of top defenders in the La Liga and at the age of 21, is one of the youngest talents in Europe. He is expected to make a breakthrough for his national team too which is currently being dominated by the likes of Raphael Varane, Laurent Koscielny and Kurt Zouma.
Though Manchester United were keen to bring him to Europe, it will be interesting to see if they continue to pursue the young Frenchman or target another defender in order to bolster their defence.