Barcelona Monitors Aymeric Laporte amid Release Clause Dispute
Experienced Spain international Aymeric Laporte has emerged as a potential defensive reinforcement for FC Barcelona this summer.
According to Spanish reports, Athletic Club is seeking to cool growing speculation about Laporte's move to Barcelona, emphasizing that the transfer will not be as straightforward as recent stories have implied.
The 32-year-old defender was a standout performer for Spain at the World Cup, forging a strong central defensive partnership with Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi during the tournament. Laporte’s representatives have offered him to the Catalan club, which views the signing as a market opportunity.
Sporting director Deco believes Laporte could provide the experience and left-footed balance that former Barcelona player Inigo Martinez brought before his move to Saudi Arabia.
Relations between the two clubs remain strained after the Nico Williams saga, and Athletic Club officials have made it clear Laporte is not for sale. He is under contract until June 2028, and Athletic insists any interested club must trigger his release clause.
Furthermore, even if Barcelona pursue Laporte, his signing would likely depend on departures from the team's defensive unit, as coach Hansi Flick currently has five recognized centre-backs: Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and Gerard Martin.
Laporte returned to Athletic Club a year ago from Al-Nassr in a deal reportedly worth around €10 million, but it remains to be seen if Barcelona will make a move in the coming weeks.
