Manchester United target Aymeric Laporte not keen on Premier League move

Athletic Bilbao starlet and reported Manchester United target Aymeric Laporte appears to have ruled out a move to the Premier League in the near future.

In just his second full season for the club, 20-year-old Laporte has garnered a reputation as one of Europe's brightest defensive talents and has inevitably been linked with moves to Europe's elite.

The France Under-21 international has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford but in an interview with FourFourTwo, the centre-half insisted he has little desire to leave Bilbao just yet.

When asked if he had the ambition to play in England one day, Laporte responded: "Not really, not at the moment, anyway. I am feeling very good at Athletic and want to keep developing as best I can here, because I can feel myself improving every day."

When asked where he saw himself in five years' time, he added: "I have got no idea. I hope a full international for France, or fighting to get in the squad regularly. That would be a big plus."

Laporte has a reported release clause of €42m (£31m) in his contract, which is likely to provide another stumbling block in attempts to prise him away from San Mames.

United are fully aware of just how tough Athletic are in the transfer market when it comes to selling their prized assets.

The Old Trafford club initially missed out on signing Ander Herrera in the summer of 2013 due to the Basque's club's refusal to listen to offers below his release clause. United returned last summer with an offer of £28m – enough to activate that clause.

Arsenal were also credited with keen interest in the defender but the arrival of Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal is likely to see such interest quieten.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Real Madrid have already made contact with Athletic over a possible transfer in the summer. The report suggests manager Carlo Ancelotti has identified Laporte as the perfect long-term partner for his compatriot Raphael Varane at the Bernabeu.