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Manchester City target Aymeric Laporte extends Athletic Bilbao contract to 2020

Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Club in action
Image: Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Club in action

Athletic Bilbao have announced defender Aymeric Laporte has extended his contract with the club through to the summer of 2020.

The 22-year-old Frenchman had been strongly linked with Manchester City during the summer but a statement from Athletic on Monday evening said Laporte had committed his future to the Primera Division club for the next four years.

It added the release clause would be €65m (£51.6m) for 2016/17 and 2017/18, with that then growing to €70m (£55.6m) for the two seasons after.

Laporte made his senior Athletic debut in 2012 and has played 109 times in the Primera Division.

He missed the end of last season after suffering a fractured ankle in March while on international duty with France U21s.

Sky sources understand City did want to sign Laporte but are relaxed about him opting to remain at the San Mames.

It is thought the club were concerned by the scale of the fee being demanded for a 22-year-old, who they believe is not the finished article.

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In addition, City also had reservations about the Frenchman's recent injury that saw ruled him out of appearing at Euro 2016.

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