Barcelona transfers: Athletic on alert after Laporte social media hint | OneFootball

Barcelona have set their sights on a centre-back, with Aymeric Laporte top of the list. Athletic are on alert after the defender liked an Instagram post by Fabrizio Romano featuring an AI-generated image of Cancelo and Rodri in Barça colours. He was named the best centre-back at the 2026 World Cup, forming a standout partnership with Cubarsí and helping secure a second star.

As reported by Superdeporte, Cancelo’s return was confirmed on Monday as a free agent to bolster the full-backs, and Rodri is set to run the midfield as he did with Spain. Hansi Flick wants to win LaLiga again, with José Mourinho his main rival, and step up in the Champions League to prevent PSG from prevailing again.

The exits of Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have left the attack short. Laporta has long favoured Julián Álvarez, but the clubs remain apart and a deal looks complicated.

In defence, Cubarsí is a fixture. Options around him include Eric García, Gerard Martín and the renewed Christensen, with expectations modest and minutes likely similar to Araújo’s last season.

Laporte, 32, is under contract at Athletic until 2028. The Basque club paid around €10 million to sign him a year ago, and any departure now would cost much more. Athletic are known to block exits for key players, so a move appears unlikely unless Laporte forces it publicly.

Source: Superdeporte

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