FIFA set for shock U-turn on transfer deal – move can be completed | OneFootball

FIFA are set to grant a major reprieve to Aymeric Laporte and Athletic Club, as they look to complete a move that was initially ruled null and void. The Spain international had appealed to football’s governing body over the issue.

Laporte, keen to leave current club Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, had been in negotiations all summer to complete a move back to his first club in Bilbao. However the deal between Athletic and Al-Nassr did not make it onto FIFA’s transfer system before the Spanish deadline passed at midnight on the first of September. Despite Athletic’s confidence it would get done, FIFA ruled that the deadline had already passed.

FIFA set to make U-turn on Laporte transfer

Athletic and Laporte had appealed the matter, alleging that the fault lay with Al-Nassr, who failed to upload all of the relevant documents in time. Previous precedents had indicated that FIFA were unlikely to go back on their original decision, but Cadena SER explain that Athletic have received a call from the governing body indicating that the appeal may be successful.

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Los Leones were told by FIFA that they had found a solution, and their expectation is that FIFA grant the appeal either on Thursday or Friday. Provided this happens, then Laporte would then be able to sign for Athletic. The Basque giants have since confirmed the news themselves, and say the RFEF will solicit an international transfer certificate from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

Laporte arrival will be major boost for Athletic

There had been a story that Laporte was negotiating with Besiktas in the meantime. The 31-year-old is keen to return to Europe and make his case to Spain manager Luis de la Fuente that he should be in the World Cup squad next summer.

For Athletic, it would be a huge boost. With the added demands of the Champions League, and Unai Egiluz out for much of the season, Laporte will join Dani Vivian and Aitor Paredes as a third available central defender. Yeray Alvarez had a 10-month suspension confirmed this week, meaning he too will be out of action until April.