Barcelona Transfer News: Aymeric Laporte 'Waiting' for Blaugrana, Latest Rumours

Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has said he's "patiently waiting" for a phone call from alleged suitors Barcelona, whom he has hailed as "the best team in the world." However, there's bad news in the hunt for Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan.

In a recent interview with Football365, Laporte made no secret of his admiration for reigning La Liga champions Barcelona and hinted at his desire to join their cause (h/t Sport's Lluis Miguelsanz):

"

For now I am with Athletic and I am focused on the season. Barca are the best team in the world, but for now there is nothing concrete and no-one has directly called me. I asked and I’m patiently waiting.

This Barca rumour appears in each market. The most recent rumour was about PSG’s interest. The journalists insist, but there’s nothing in it.

As for possible contact with Barca, you have to see what happens with my club because I am under contract. Athletic have never mentioned Barca’s interest to me.

"

The Mirror's Ed Malyon recently reported Laporte was part of a three-man shortlist on Barca's agenda to add a young central defender to their ranks this summer, per the orders of sporting director Robert Fernandez.

It may therefore please the current European champions to hear Laporte is seemingly open to a move away from Basque outfit Athletic, although he'll be a tough target to prise away from San Mames.

JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

The 21-year-old signed a contract extension until 2019 with Los Leones just last June, per FourFourTwo, a deal that came complete with a €50 million (£38.9 million) release clause.

The Blaugrana's hopes of landing the young talent could also be helped by the fact Laporte is represented by Camp Nou legend Carlos Puyol, per the Sun's Anthony Richardson.

The centre-back's release fee may hardly be considered outside Barcelona's spending range. With Jeremy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano on the wrong side of 30, and Thomas Vermaelen a consistent injury worry, recruits could be required.

Athletic are happy to see their youngster thriving in Spain, but Goal's Mohammed Ali claimed the France under-21 international could have ended up at Marseille had his youth development turned out differently:

Moving from one Primera Division outfit to another may make for a simple transition, and Laporte is seemingly open to considering an offer from the club he views as the cream of the crop.

Meanwhile, Barca may already count themselves out of the race to sign Dortmund midfielder Gundogan following reports he's ready to join Pep Guardiola's Manchester City revolution.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

That's according to Spanish daily Sport, who claimed the Germany international has already informed Barca of his decision and will be a City player next term (h/t Anthony Jepson of the Manchester Evening News).

Guardiola's move to the Etihad Stadium is sure to direct a wealth of top-tier talent toward Manchester, and his impending arrival already looks to be helping the Citizens win the transfer-market war.