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Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte: "Several clubs were interested"

Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte claims that "several clubs" wanted to sign him in this summer's transfer window.

Aymeric Laporte has claimed that "several clubs" were interested in signing him before putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract with Athletic Bilbao.

The 22-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City, while Manchester United and Barcelona are both believed to be admirers of the French-born defender.

It was widely thought that Laporte would make the move to Man City this summer, but earlier this week, the defender signed a new four-year contract with his Spanish club.

"It's taken a long time to choose the right option for me, but I've concluded that Athletic was the best one. Several clubs were interested in me, with some very exciting and attractive projects," Laporte told Bilbao's official website.

"In the end you have to make decisions and I made mine. I hope everything goes well; I thank the clubs that were interested in me because it means I've been doing the right things."

Laporte's release clause has risen to £51m, while it will become £55m in 2018.

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Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Club in action during the start of the La Liga match between Getafe CF and Athletic Club at Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium on October 28, 2013
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano124441313016
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
16Leganes122551216-411
17Getafe12174810-210
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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