Laporte quiet on exit reports

Aymeric Laporte is remaining tight-lipped on speculation that he could leave Athletic Bilbao this summer.

The French defender has been linked with a number of Europe’s biggest clubs in recent months after another solid season with Los Leones, culminating in a Copa del Rey final with Barcelona on Saturday, but he insists he is only thinking about leading his side to glory.

"What I will say is that I have a contract until 2018 and I wish to remain quiet [about my future],” he said at a Press conference.

“I’m focused on Saturday’s game and only thinking about Athletic. I’m not thinking about [a move away], really.

“It’s not something that will affect my performance [in the final]. I’ll play as I always have, with tranquillity.

“[Ander Herrera, Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente] were partly right [in leaving] and wrong because we’ve shown that we can win a trophy.

“I’m very happy and excited [about the final]. It’s a match that will be remembered in years to come.

“You have to handle the pressure and nerves. We know that Barcelona are a very good team and we must do things right and go for the win.

“There is so much talent in [the Barca] team, so we have to watch them in every move and every phase of play.

“It’s a final and [Barca] will try to give 100 percent, so we must give 200 percent. The most important [part of the match] will be what happens on the pitch.

“Playing a final and being able to lift a trophy is something that you remember for the rest of your life and one of the best things that can happen to a footballer.

“We’re very happy with [Coach Ernesto] Valverde [following his decision to extend his contract] because he’s given a lot to us and has done a great job.”

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