Athletic Set €80m Price Tag on Laporte

Athletic Club have no intention of letting go of centre-back Aymeric Laporte, who represented Spain throughout their World Cup campaign, without a serious fight. According to Diario AS, the club has set an €80 million price tag on the French-born, Spain-naturalised defender, who returned to San Mames from Al-Nassr for around €10 million last summer, and is not willing to entertain any offer below that figure.

According to the report, the concrete interest so far has come not from Real Madrid but from Barcelona, with sporting director Deco having enquired directly with Athletic. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are said to be admirers of the player at this stage, with no formal approach made. Athletic's response to Barcelona was described as emphatic, and there is little reason to think Real Madrid would receive a different answer.

Laporte's performances in Spain's World Cup triumph have driven his value up considerably, with his partnership alongside Pau Cubarsi anchoring the meanest defence in the tournament's history. The 32-year-old still has two years remaining on the contract he signed upon returning to San Mames last summer.

Source: Diario AS
Image: Barca Universal