Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte as Antonio Conte wishes the Frenchman to become his first signing of the summer, ESPN (via Metro) reports.
The Blues are set to lose legend John Terry permanently and possibly youngster Kurt Zouma on loan, and the Italian tactician thinks that Laporte would be a superb addition to the team’s defensive ranks.
The 22-year-old has a release-clause of €65m (£54.6m) and has also attracted interest elsewhere in Europe, with Manchester City one of the many who approached him last summer.
Chelsea would need to act fast and not only because there’s interest from elsewhere, as also because the player’s release clause will be rising to £58.9m should he stay at San Mamés for another season.
Laporte has been a key player in Bilbao’s first-team and has made a total of 38 appearances for the club in all competitions this term.
