Manchester City agree club record fee for another new defender

A fee of £57m has been agreed for Manchester City to secure the services of Aymeric Laporte, The Guardian reports.

The figure will set a new club record for the Premier League leaders, triggering a release clause in the defender’s Athletic Club contract.

The Frenchman has long been on the club and indeed Pep Guardiola’s radar having previously come close to a move to The Etihad despite a leg fracture sustained ahead of the 2016/17 season.

City appear to have finally got their man, however, having been keen to bolster their centre-back ranks due to Vincent Kompany’s longstanding injury problems.

Laporte will now be vying for a start at centre-back with John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, though he also offers Guardiola to move to a back three if necessary.

A cultured defender, capable of carrying the ball out from the back or spreading the play, the 23-year-old has averaged the second most accurate long balls per game of all outfielders to make ten or more appearances in La Liga this season.

He will officially sign his Manchester City contract at the start of next week.