Arsenal are determined to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, with Arsene Wenger apparently willing to sanction a €42 million move for the defender in January, as reported by fichajes.net
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This would match his release clause, something written into the contract of every player in La Liga, and force Bilbao into accepting the offer.
Laporte, only 20 years old, has proven himself to be a highly talented defender in recent years, and the elegant young star has become the north London club’s priority for the January transfer window.
Arsenal have suffered a defensive crisis since the start of the season, with Mathieu Debuchy’s injury causing havoc at the back for Wenger.
Wenger has reportedly asked the club’s hierarchy to focus on pooling together the resources required to secure a switch for Laporte in the winter window.
Should Arsenal meet with Laporte’s agent and agree personal terms, the club will then match the release clause, terminating his contract with Bilbao and pushing through a move to the Emirates Stadium.
