Pep Guardiola reveals Manchester City signed Aymeric Laporte six months earlier than planned

The French international joined the Premier League leaders in a club record £57m deal putting pen to paper on a five-year deal

Aymeric Laporte has joined six months earlier than planned (Getty)

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City signed Aymeric Laporte six months earlier than planned.

The French international joined the Premier League leaders in a club record £57m deal putting pen to paper on a five-year deal.

City previously tried to sign the 23-year-old soon after Guardiola's arrival in the summer of 2016 but the player did not think the move was right at that time.

Guardiola said: "In that time it was not possible because he decided to remain in Bilbao. We spoke with the club and said we needed a centre-back in summertime, but we still have a lot of games to play and decided to try and bring him right now.

"Our summer window will now be easier because this is already done."

He added: "He is a young player, 23, 24 years old. He is left-footed, central defender, he has played since a young age in LaLiga, on the biggest stages.

"He is strong in the air, fast, good quality with the pass, so I am delighted, happy and grateful for what the club has done."

Guardiola said he did not know if the deal was completed in time for Laporte to be available to face West Brom at the Etihad Stadium but feels he is physically ready.

Laporte leaves Athletic Club after eight years in Bilbao (Getty)

He said: "He is fit, he has been playing the last period so I think he is ready. Of course he has to adapt, the Premier League is special in many senses, but I think he is intelligent and he will read the situation."

Laporte himself is delighted to have made the switch to the Etihad.

"I am very happy to be here. City are a club with a lot of ambition and they are one of the best teams in Europe. I am looking forward to working under Pep Guardiola and trying to help the club to achieve success.

"It means a lot that the club have shown faith in me and I am excited to get started."