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Manchester City set to confirm £57m signing of Aymeric Laporte

France international Laporte left an emotional open letter to Athletic fans online on Monday afternoon after the Premier League leaders triggered his release clause

Jack Pitt-Brooke
Monday 29 January 2018 16:28 GMT
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Aymeric Laporte is set to become City's most expensive-ever signing
Aymeric Laporte is set to become City's most expensive-ever signing

Manchester City are set to confirm the £57million signing of centre-back Aymeric Laporte from Athletic.

France international Laporte left an emotional open letter to Athletic fans online on Monday afternoon, relishing the “new challenge” at City, after an official club statement confirmed that an interested club had paid Laporte’s €65m release clause.

Laporte also confirmed that he was leaving Bilbao and the only thing left now is for City to confirm the deal. Pep Guardiola, who has led the pursuit of the player, confirmed at Cardiff City on Sunday evening that City would only comment on the deal once it was done.

Premier League transfer round-up: Latest deals from the January window

City tried to sign Laporte in 2016 but the young defender turned down the move. This afternoon he wrote on Twitter how motivated he was for the new challenge of playing in the Premier League.

“To all the Athletic family,” Laporte wrote. “I want to thank you for everything you have given me. I arrived an adolescent and here I have become a adult and footballer. My departure, before a new challenge in my professional career, doesn't need to be a goodbye, but a 'see you soon'.

"Here I leave a unique club, a different club and one I will never forget.”

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