Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has opened up about his decision to turn down a move to the Premier League before the opening of the campaign.
The French centre-back reveals he received a tempting offer from Manchester City last summer, but didn’t think it was the right time to leave the Spanish side.
I had the chance to leave but I did not feel it. Also because I was injured and did not want to leave so.
He was also questioned about the recent interest from Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, but was coy about revealing the truth behind the speculation.
Chelsea’s interest? I can not say anything, it’s a personal thing.
– Aymeric Laporte, L’Equipe
Chelsea never tabled an offer for Laporte, but have been among the several European sides keen on the 23-year-old’s services.
Laporte has made eight outings for Bilbao this term, and has pretty much cemented his place in Jose Angel Ziganda’s starting line-up.
The Frenchman could be a very promising acquisition for the Blues. With David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill all slowly coming to age, it’s time to build something big for the future with the likes of Laporte, Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
