Aymeric Laporte has issued a farewell message to Athletic Bilbao amid speculation of an impending move to Manchester City.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a £60m transfer to Pep Guardiola's side and was reportedly due to travel to Manchester on Monday.

"To all the Athletic family. I want to thank you for all you have given me," he wrote in a message on Athletic's official Twitter account: "I arrived as a kid and I've grown here as a person and as a footballer.

"My exit, ahead of a new challenge in my professional career, I don't want it to be a goodbye, but a see you later.

"Here I am leaving a unique club, different and I will never forget you."