"Laporte to Barcelona? Athletic has the final say"

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16/08/26 17:00:00

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Aymeric Laporte is back at the center of the transfer market. His excellent performance in the 2026 World Cup, where he has formed one of the strongest central defensive partnerships in the tournament alongside Pau Cubarsí, has reignited speculations about his potential move to FC Barcelona. However, Athletic Bilbao has been clear: there are no negotiations, and the Spanish international will remain a key piece of Ernesto Valverde's project.

As reported by MARCA, the 32-year-old central defender has gained prominence in recent weeks due to his outstanding performance with the Spanish national team. His leadership, experience, and ball distribution skills have attracted interest from several top European clubs, although at San Mamés, they maintain a firm stance regarding his future.

Aymeric Laporte, a key player for Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao's sporting director, Mikel González, has been quick to quash any rumors before the transfer market intensifies. The official categorically denied any contact with FC Barcelona, dismissing reports linking the defender to the Blaugrana's agenda.

The response from the Basque club has been definitive: no official offers, no informal conversations, and no open negotiations. The organization views the defender as a cornerstone of the team and does not consider his departure this summer.

Furthermore, the fact that the player is under contract until 2028 strengthens Athletic's negotiation position. Despite reports of a €15 million release clause, the club's intention is to retain one of its key players to face a season with high expectations in both LaLiga and European competitions.

The Return of a Leader to San Mamés

The center-back returned to Athletic Bilbao in September 2025, ending his stint at Al-Nassr, where he played between 2023 and 2025. His comeback was celebrated by the red-and-white fans, who welcomed back one of the finest talents developed at Lezama.

Before his time in Saudi Arabia, Aymeric Laporte was involved in one of the club's major transfers. In the winter market of 2018, Manchester City paid his €65 million release clause to bring him into Pep Guardiola's project.

During his time in England, he won 13 titles, including five Premier League titles and a Champions League, establishing himself as one of the most reliable center-backs on the continent.

FC Barcelona remains attentive to the market in LaLiga

Although FC Barcelona continues to focus on strengthening other positions, Aymeric Laporte's name has emerged as an interesting option due to his experience and impressive performance in the World Cup. However, the economic situation of the Catalan club and Athletic Bilbao's firm stance make any potential deal very complex.

Added to this is the long-standing difficulty in negotiations of this magnitude between the two clubs. Bilbao has no intention of letting go of one of their key players, especially after bringing him back less than a year ago to lead the defense.

The partnership between the Spanish international and Pau Cubarsí has also boosted their sporting value. Spain has built much of its success in the World Cup on a solid defense, with Aymeric Laporte being one of the team's main figures under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente.

With the transfer window still open, rumors will continue to swirl around the veteran defender. However, the message from Athletic Bilbao is clear: Aymeric Laporte is not for sale, he is part of both the present and immediate future of the club, and unless a completely unexpected turn of events occurs, he will continue to defend the red-and-white colors during the upcoming LaLiga season.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Laporte al Barcelona?, el Athletic tiene la última palabra