Making deals is difficult – Guardiola on Laporte transfer

Pep Guardiola says there is still work to be done before Manchester City can bring in fresh faces amid reported interest in Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte.

The runaway Premier League leaders, who travel to Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Sunday, are seeking to strengthen at the back and have identified Laporte, who has a €65 million release clause, as a prime target.

Goal understands that the Frenchman has informed Athletic of his desire to join City, and has agreed a deal in principle with Guardiola's side.

Guardiola was probed on the topic of Laporte's potential arrival at his pre-match media conference on Friday, where he proved evasive.