Manchester City will have to activate the £39.6 million release clause of Aymeric Laporte's deal with Athletic Bilbao in order to bring him over for Pep Guardiola's first season.

Laporte has been determined not to push for a move out of Athletic.

“Neither Laporte nor any other player has told me he wants to leave Athletic,” Athletic president Josu Urrutia said.

“The way the club works is to give as few clues as possible and work discretely.

“In these five years I think the message Athletic has put out is that we are not a selling club.”