24 Mar 2016 16:54:14
Hi eds

Rumours today that city are prepared to pay the release clause of aymeric laporte. Will barca make a move for him this summer?

{Ed002's Note - This is oldish news as the meetings were in January and February - and the "release clause" is of of no consequence. Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte has attracted the attention of a number of major sides in Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Manchester City. Bilbao have signed him to a new contract last year but will still listen to offers around a not insignificant offer for the player in the summer. Barcelona remain keen but I very much expect Manchester City will press ahead to complete a deal agreed in outline after meetings with his agent in January and other representives of his at the start of February - but the player has said it is Barcelona that he wants.}

1.) 24 Mar 2016
24 Mar 2016 17:19:35
Thanks ed. Do barca have any alternatives lined up such as marquinhos or john stones in case they lose out on laporte?

{Ed002's Note - Their interest in Stones has gone for now. Interest from Barcelona remains in Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi.}

2.) 25 Mar 2016
25 Mar 2016 09:36:38
Laporte had a big injury yesterday (might be a broken ankle). So maybe that influences the timing of a transfer and maybe he'll stay at Bilbao this summer. Probably depends on how serious the injury turns out to be.