Manchester United Transfer News: Reds Must Make Good on Aymeric Laporte Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly close to finalising a shock deal for Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte, and the Red Devils need to make sure those rumours turn into a January transfer.

The Daily Star's Jack Wilson claims Spanish sources are reporting talks regarding a transfer for Laporte are "80 percent done," citing a £25 million fee:

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According to reports in Spain, a deal for the 20-year-old centre-back is "80 per cent done".

Laporte, who is a boyhood United fan, is considered one of the best young defensive talents in the world.

He has become a mainstay of the Bilbao defence and is tipped to earn a call-up to the full France squad after impressing at youth level.

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal have watched him closely while Bayern Munich and Tottenham were also interested.

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The Red Devils have suffered in the defensive department in the 2014-15 season due to inconsistent play and a multitude of injuries, and while there are a handful of promising prospects emerging from the youth academy, it's generally accepted Louis van Gaal should invest in another top-quality defender.

Most fans are likely hoping for a world-class option like Mats Hummels, as explained by Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell and Ryan Bailey:

The 20-year-old isn't on that level yet, but he's already darn close. It seems like hyperbole to make such a claim about a player who has yet to earn his first call-up for France's national team, but it's simply true.

The only reason Laporte is still a French U21 player is the fact Les Bleus have a wealth of options at the back—think Raphael Varane, Eliaquim Mangala, Mamadou Sakho, Laurent Koscielny and so on.

Rather than push him through to the senior squad straight away, France have elected to keep him with the U21's to hand him as much playing time as possible and boost that team's chances for some silverware. It's a similar strategy as what Belgium have done with their star youngsters, Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet.

Laporte's potential is tantalising—Spanish football insider Sergi Dominguez thinks he could be in the conversation as the best centre-back in the world alongside compatriot Varane in just a few years:

But the youngster is already an exceptional player despite his young age. Laporte held his own against the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the age of 19, an incredible feat. He was instrumental in Bilbao's run through La Liga last year, leading to a spot in the Champions League.

Former manager Marcelo Bielsa has been raving about the defender, telling reporters he couldn't recall a single mistake he made all season, via Bleacher Report's Andrew Gibney:

He's big and physical, deceptively quick and technically adequate. The prototypical no-nonsense centre-back, he prefers burying his opponents, although he can win with awareness and vision as well.

Laporte is a day-one starter with the potential to be the very best defender in the Premier League by the time he's 24. A transfer fee of £25 million is a relative bargain and likely the result of Bilbao's struggles in the 2014-15 season following the departure of Ander Herrera.

Van Gaal recently told reporters he's not afraid to spend the cash in January, if the opportunity arises. According to the club's official website, he said:

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When I cannot improve my selection, then I wait. And then I maybe have to wait a year more. Maybe you think that there are so many fantastic players, but it is not like that.

[However,] I don’t [necessarily] prefer to wait until the summer when I can improve my selections. That I have showed with [Victor] Valdes.

When we can buy a player who can improve my selection, the club shall buy. Money is not interesting. It is always quality of the players in comparison with the other players that I have. I have to compare. I have to decide. Money doesn’t play any role.

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Laporte is such a player. He has the potential to make the club better from the day he arrives and be a regular starter for the next decade. Paired with Tyler Blackett, the Red Devils would field a young, hugely talented defensive pairing capable of playing in a back four or back three, with Marcos Rojo also in the mix.

If the 2014-15 season has shown fans one thing, it's that teams can never have enough defensive depth. Adding Laporte would help in that department while simultaneously giving Van Gaal the type of young building block he has had so much success with in his long career.

If there's one move United should make in January, it's this one. Hummels and the likes won't leave their clubs in midseason, and judging by Laporte's fast development, he might surpass the often-injured Germany international in two years' time anyhow.

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