Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea could do battle over Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte in January, according to reports.
Laporte is considered to be one of La Liga’s best young defenders and was linked with a move to all three of the Premier League giants during the summer window, however, Bilbao held onto one of its most prized assets.
Bilbao are understood to have slapped a £36m buyout clause on the 21-year-old Frenchman, and Mundo Deportivo [via Daily Star] claims the Spanish outfit will not be able to stop the versatile defender from leaving the club in January.
The Spanish newspaper reports that the cashed-up English trio will look to match Laporte’s buyout clause during the winter transfer window.
Despite signing Papy Djilobodji, Cheslea could sign Laporte as an alternative to John Stones as Everton are unwilling to allow the young centre-back to leave the Goodison Park.
Laporte is most comfortable as a centre-back but has recently shown he is capable of operating as a left-back.
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