La Liga giants push for shock defensive reunion | OneFootball

Aymeric Laporte appears set for a summer exit from Al-Nassr, with a return to Europe gathering pace as rival suitors emerge for the Spain international. Laporte, who joined Al-Nassr from Manchester City in 2023, remains under contract for another year but is attracting significant attention ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

At 31, Laporte is being pursued by several clubs seeking defensive reinforcements, notably Athletic Club and Olympique de Marseille. Reports from the Basque press indicate that Athletic Club have made Laporte their top defensive priority for the summer, as coach Ernesto Valverde and general director Mikel González look to bolster a squad preparing for Champions League football. Athletic are eager to repatriate the defender, whose early professional career unfolded in Bilbao, where he featured in 222 matches between 2012 and 2018 before his move to England.

While Marseille are also considering Laporte as part of their defensive rebuild, they face stiff competition. Galatasaray have signaled interest as well, but sources suggest the race is led by Athletic Club, with the Spanish side pushing to finalize a deal swiftly to beat their continental rivals.

Laporte's time at Al-Nassr has lasted just one season, and while the Saudi Pro League club would lose an experienced figure at the back, a return to Europe has become increasingly likely as his profile resurges among clubs with continental ambitions. The defender, who has represented both France at youth level and Spain at senior level, is believed to be attracted by the prospect of Champions League football and a homecoming to the Basque Country.

The transfer picture is fluid, with Marseille and other clubs monitoring developments, but the momentum appears to be with Athletic Club. Unless negotiations take a sudden turn, Laporte is expected to make his European return one year before his Al-Nassr contract expires.

Source: 90min