Pep Guardiola says there is still work to be done before Manchester City can bring in fresh faces amid reported interest in Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte.
The runaway Premier League leaders, who travel to Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Sunday, are seeking to strengthen at the back and have identified Laporte, who has a €65 million release clause, as a prime target.
Goal understands that the Frenchman has informed Athletic of his desire to join City, and has agreed a deal in principle with Guardiola’s side.
Editors' Picks
Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over Man City monitoring Barcelona & Chelsea target Jovic
Guardiola was probed on the topic of Laporte’s potential arrival at his pre-match media conference on Friday, where he proved evasive.
“I know you are curious about it. Here is not the place to talk about it,” said the City boss.
“Making deals is so difficult. It is not right place to talk about names.
“He’s a player of Athletic Bilbao. You will know if it happens, if it doesn’t, it won’t happen.
“There were players in the past we were interested in, there will be in the future. We will try to do the best we can.”
The Catalan also confirmed Kyle Walker would be fit to face Cardiff after an injury scare in the EFL Cup win at Bristol City on Tuesday.