Barcelona are preparing to initiate contact with Aymeric Laporte’s representatives to explore the possibility of a transfer from Athletic Club, according to reports from Diario Sport. The move comes after Laporte’s strong performances alongside Pau Cubarsi helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup.
Laporte, 32, was a key figure in Spain’s World Cup triumph, forming a solid central defensive partnership with the younger Cubarsi. Barcelona’s hierarchy were impressed by his composure and experience throughout the tournament, believing he could bring valuable qualities to their squad. Sporting director Deco reportedly held preliminary discussions with relevant parties while in the United States during the World Cup, with plans to pursue the matter further now that the competition has concluded.
Barcelona see Laporte as a potential replacement for, or complement to, Iñigo Martínez, who played a significant role in their league and cup double-winning season of 2024-25. The financial aspect of the deal is particularly attractive to the Catalan club, with Sport reporting that Laporte has a release clause of less than €15 million. This relatively low fee is seen as a significant advantage given Barcelona’s recent need for creative transfer solutions.
However, Athletic Club are publicly resistant to the idea of selling Laporte. Sporting director Mikel González has stated that the player is a key member of the squad and will not be allowed to leave. While such declarations don’t always guarantee a player’s retention, it indicates Athletic’s strong desire to keep him. The potential of reuniting Laporte and Cubarsi at club level, after their successful World Cup partnership, is a major draw for Barcelona.
The next step, according to Sport, will be formal communication between Barcelona and Laporte’s representatives to gauge the player’s interest in a move. Despite Athletic’s insistence that Laporte will remain, Barcelona are clearly keen to explore the possibility of bringing the experienced defender to Camp Nou.
