Aymeric Laporte move to Barcelona collapses as Athletic Club demand €15 million fee | OneFootball

Barcelona’s move for World Cup winner Aymeric Laporte collapsed after Athletic Club’s demands far exceeded their valuation. They had hoped to sign the 32-year-old for under €15 million.

The Athletic reports that Laporte was keen on joining and that Barcelona believed an affordable release clause just below that figure existed, as relayed by the defender’s camp.

Barcelona had prioritised a left-footed centre-back to reprise the specific role once filled by Inigo Martinez before his departure last summer, with Laporte their leading target.

The pursuit intensified after the 2026 World Cup, where sporting director Deco watched Spain concede just one goal on the way to the title. Laporte partnered Barcelona teenager Pau Cubarsi, strengthening belief he could slot straight into the back line.

Deco held initial talks with Laporte’s representatives during the club’s pre-season tour in the United States. Both sides planned to resume after the World Cup, but Athletic Club’s valuation halted progress.

Strained relations between the clubs, heightened by Barcelona’s prolonged yet unsuccessful chase of Nico Williams, further counted against a deal. Aware Laporte is under contract in Bilbao until June 2028 after a €10 million return from Al-Nassr last year, Barcelona refused another saga and walked away.

The Catalans also assessed alternatives, including FC Twente’s Ruud Nijstad, but no agreement followed. They finished the window without the left-footed central defender they wanted.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”