Barcelona challenge Bayern for Laporte

Barcelona are keeping close tabs on Athletic Bilbao starlet Aymeric Laporte, Catalan daily Sport has revealed.

Having had their transfer ban suspended by FIFA, the Catalans aim to seriously reinforce the squad over the summer, and signing a quality centre-back is the priority at the moment.

And while the club officials have been looking at a number of players of late, Athletic’s Aymeric Laporte seems to have emerged as their top target.

The 19-year-old has been in stunning form this season, catching the eye of Bayern Munich in the process, and it appears los Leones face a real battle on their hands in an attempt to keep hold of the cultured defender.

Barcelona will probably have to match the player’s €36 million release clause in order to lure him to Camp Nou, but that could still prove to be good value for money seeing as how the Frenchman is already considered one of league’s top centre-backs.