Pep Guardiola has already landed one of his major targets this summer, with Manchester City swiftly signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. But it looks as though the incoming City boss will lose out on another top target.
Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte has dealt City a major blow in signing a new five-year deal with the club, keeping him at the Basque side until 2020. A move to City appeared to be sealed, with City rumoured to be signing the French defender for a fee in excess of £39 million.
The deal may not be completely dead in the water, but Laporte's new contract now contains a 65million release clause, as opposed to the 50 million euros City looked set to splash out on the 22-year old. If a team do not snap him up in the next two seasons, his clause will rise to 70m.
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Guardiola and City would have to pay an extra 15m to get their man, but may be tempted to look elsewhere. They have been linked with in-demand defender John Stones, who could cost less and also meets the homegrown quota City desperately need to fill.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, mcfc, Athletic Bilbao, Aymeric Laporte
