According to Guillem Balague, a Spanish journalist, the Manchester clubs are both willing to meet the buy out clause of Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao. The journalist spoke to Sky Sports and has revealed that both the clubs are looking to add the 21 year old defender to their team roster in the summer.

Barcelona are also believed to be interested in the player but may not have the financial muscle to match the English clubs. Manchester City has been looking for a suitable partner for Vincent Kompany and so far none of their signing have been completely convincing. Manchester United is looking to add more depth in the field after their defensive line was dealt with a major injury epidemic and the club has been forced to play several academy graduates.

The reporter sounded convinced that both the Manchester clubs are ready to trigger his 40 million release clause, but said that it is not necessarily that the player will also want leave the Basque club in the summer.

‘He has been linked to them in the past and he has decided to stay and renew his contract with Athletic Bilbao, so we will see,’ as per Balague.

‘I know both clubs want him … and they will be willing to pay the buy-out clause.’