Tuesday 30 January 2018 13:24, UK
Aymeric Laporte has issued a farewell message to Athletic Bilbao amid speculation of an impending move to Manchester City.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a £60m transfer to Pep Guardiola's side and was reportedly due to travel to Manchester on Monday.
"To all the Athletic family. I want to thank you for all you have given me," he wrote in a message on Athletic's official Twitter account:
"I arrived as a kid and I've grown here as a person and as a footballer.
"My exit, ahead of a new challenge in my professional career, I don't want it to be a goodbye, but a see you later.
"Here I am leaving a unique club, different and I will never forget you."
It was reported at the weekend that City had agreed a fee with the Spanish club having triggered his £57m release clause.
The £60m fee would break the club's transfer record of £55m that they paid for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.
The defender, who has made 19 appearances for Athletic this season, was left out of their squad to face Eibar on Friday.
