The chances of Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte transferring to Barcelona during the summer transfer window have diminished, despite the player's interest in wearing the Catalan club's shirt.
Aymeric Laporte
Club: Athletic Bilbao
Mundo Deportivo reported that Laporte, one of the standout players for the Spain national team that won the 2026 World Cup, offered his services to Barcelona during the tournament, which initially drew interest from the club.
However, the report clarified that Barcelona's management does not want to enter into a new confrontation with Athletic Bilbao, following the tension that marked the relationship between the two clubs in the Nico Williams deal last summer.
The newspaper added that Laporte's contract runs until the summer of 2028 and does not include a release clause, meaning Barcelona would have to negotiate directly with Athletic Bilbao, something the club's officials do not prefer.
It also pointed out that Barcelona does not see strengthening the center-back position as a priority at the moment, given that it has several options, and will not move to sign a new defender unless one of its players departs.
The report confirmed that coach Hansi Flick is not pushing for a deal with Laporte, which significantly reduces the chances of the 32-year-old defender moving to Camp Nou this summer.
