Laporte reveals extensive talks with City before new Athletic deal

Aymeric Laporte has revealed he spoke with Manchester City extensively during the summer before eventually signing a new long-term deal with Athletic Club.

In a bid to revamp City’s defence Pep Guardiola was heavily linked with a move for the Athletic centre-back during the summer only to miss out on the 22-year-old after he extended his stay at the San Mames to 2020.

Laporte, who received his first senior call-up to the France national team last week, has revealed there were extensive talks with Guardiola at the start of the summer but it did not seem the right move.

“How did I say no to Pep? By looking at the pros and cons. I spoke with him for a long time, as well as with my club. I also looked at my family, my entourage,” Laporta told RTL, via The Daily Mirror.

“I wasn’t too early. It was just pros and cons: amount of time on the pitch, me recovering from injury. These aren’t things to think about at my age. In the end, I had to make a choice. I did, and I’m happy.”

Only two of 93 players aged 23 and under have completed more interceptions in La Liga than Laporte (21).

For more stats on Aymeric Laporte, click here to visit his WhoScored player page