Report: Manchester United, Real Madrid go head to head for Aymeric Laporte

Manchester United will do battle with Real Madrid over the signature of Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte, according to reports.

The centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this season as Louis van Gaal looks to strengthen his defence, but Real Madrid are now said to have joined the race.

The Daily Mail says that Bilbao won't accept anything less than the £31.5m buy-out clause in Laporte's contract, while respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has said that Laporte is open to a move to United.

The report also claims that Van Gaal is looking at Paris Saint-Germain player Marquinhos, and Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez.

Laporte has made 79 first-team appearances for Bilbao.