Manchester United have been dealt a transfer blow with the news that Aymeric Laporte has agreed a deal, in principle, to join North West rivals Manchester City.
Laporte, who currently plays for Athletic Bilbao in Spain, is one of the finest young defenders in Europe.
Jose Mourinho, widely tipped to replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford for next season, is among the growing number of admirers of the defender, who has represented France up to Under-21 level.
The Daily Mirror claims that Laporte has principally agreed a £35m deal to join City this summer.
He is set to become Pep Guardiola’s first signing when he takes over at the Etihad Stadium this summer, the current Bayern Munich boss keen to make signing a centre-back one of his top priorities.
Laporte was part of the under-19 team that came runners-up to Serbia in the 2013 UEFA European Championships in Lithuania, and was selected in the Team of the Tournament.
He was also selected for the 2013-14 La Liga Team of the Year.
By Steve Osborne @BlizzardSteve75