Chelsea is reportedly ready to compete with Manchester United and Arsenal to land Athletic Bilbao’s highly sought-after Aymeric Laporte in January, according to The Daily Express.
After a summer of successfully keeping hold of their star defender, by setting Laporte’s buy-out clause at £36m, Bilbao may be forced to sell the Frenchman in January.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo suggest the La Liga side may be forced to sell the youngster due to their financial situation, with the financial resources of the three English clubs also playing a part.
The monumental difference of domestic revenues between English clubs and Spanish clubs due to TV broadcasting rights has resulted in a number of players leaving Spain for the Premier League.
Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid earn the lion’s share of TV revenue in La Liga, which hinders the finances of the other clubs in Spain; though La Liga bosses are considering a change to the way in which TV revenue is split.
Whereas teams in the Premier League all earn an equal share of TV revenue; generated by a deal with Sky Sports and BT Sport worth £1.67bn-a-year.
And after Chelsea missed out on the signing of Everton’s John Stones during the summer transfer window, despite the Blues offering to splash £35m on the former Barnsley man, Laporte is one of four defenders, including Stones, thought to be on Jose Mourinho’s radar for January.
United were unwilling to meet Laporte’s buy-out clause, despite spending the same amount (potentially more with add-ons) for striker Anthony Martial; though are reportedly willing to make another move for the defender in January.
Arsenal meanwhile were the only club in the top fives European leagues not to buy an outfield player during the summer, so it is unclear whether Wenger’s stance will change in January.
