Sporting giant Adidas are reportedly helping Chelsea snare Athletic Bilbao star defender Aymeric Laporte.
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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is believed to have made signing a quality centre-back a priority of the summer break, with Adidas reportedly ready to help bring the £30m-rated La Liga star to the club.
According to The Metro, Laporte has a lucrative boot contract with Adidas and Chelsea’s shirt sponsors are willing to help match the Frenchman’s £30m buyout clause.
The Blues have been linked with moves for Mats Hummels and Raphael Varane, however the French youth international has been in sparkling form for the eighth-placed La Liga side this season.
Laporte has also been deployed as a left-back during his time in Bilbao, with his versatility making him an interesting prospect for the runaway Premier League leaders.
The 20-year-old made the move from France to join Athletic’s world-famed youth setup in 2010.
Since making his first-team debut in 2012, Laporte has made 76 La Liga appearances, scoring two goals.
He’s just the second Frenchman – after Bixente Lizarazu – to play for the Basque club.
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