5 centre-backs Manchester City should target in the near future

#3 Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)

Aymeric Laporte has quickly risen to prominence in Europe

Aymeric Laporte met Pep Guardiola during the summer of 2016, but the Frenchman turned down a move to Manchester by signing a contract at the Basque club which runs until 2020. Manchester City moved on and signed John Stones from Everton for £50 million instead, to strengthen the backline at Etihad.

Often linked with Barcelona, Laporte has established himself as one of the leading centre-backs in La Liga with his perspicacious defensive ability and has represented Athletic Bilbao over 200 times, since making his debut back in 2012. The French defender spent one year away from the Spanish team at Basconia, making 33 appearances for them.

Concentration, ability to bully opponents, and choice of when to intercept are the three basic elements of modern day defending and Aymeric Laporte possesses all those abilities, coupled with attacking abilities.

The Former Basconia defender is comfortable with the ball and likes to start fluid attacks from the back. Physically imposing, the 23-year-old likes to compete in the air and is a threat from aerial set pieces.

It is highly unlikely that Athletic Bilbao will sell their starlet at this point in time, but a £70 million bid from the Blue side of Manchester might just interest both the player and the club.