Manchester City are set to step up their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte.

Spanish publication EITB is reporting that City are prepared to meet Bilbao's release clause of £39million for the talented central defender.

City have been linked with the 21-year-old for some time now but it is understood that the Etihad Stadium club are now ready to make a genuine move for his services.

Manchester United and Barcelona have also been credited with an interest but incoming City boss Pep Guardiola is keen on Frenchman and has instructed the club to land one of Europe's most promising centre-backs upon his arrival this summer.

A report in the Daily Mailadds that Laporte, who is currently sidelined for six months after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle on international duty in early April, is searching for a house in Manchester ahead of the proposed transfer.