Manchester City are ready to try again for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte.

The Sunday Mirror says Pep Guardiola is refusing to give up on bringing the 22-year-old central defender to the Blues, despite being snubbed by him last summer.

City had a £39million deal lined up for the Frenchman, only for him to sign a new four-year contract with Bilbao after being set a deadline by Guardiola.

Laporte now has a buy-out clause of £55m – but that will not put the Blues off as they search for a long-term partner for John Stones.

And they have been encouraged by the player's recent admission that he will look at fresh offers at the end of the season.