Athletic Club set €80m terms as Barcelona assess Aymeric Laporte deal

Athletic Club have told Barcelona that Aymeric Laporte will not be allowed to leave for less than €80m after the defender attracted renewed interest following his performances at the World Cup.

Laporte has emerged as the subject of significant transfer speculation after impressing for Spain and forming an effective defensive partnership with Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi during the tournament.

According to AS, Barcelona sporting director Deco made enquiries about Laporte’s situation while the World Cup was taking place. Deco also attended more than one of Spain’s matches in person to watch the defender.

Athletic Club’s response was unequivocal. Their officials made clear that €80m is the asking price for Laporte, reflecting their belief that he remains an important member of the squad. The club also value the considerable effort the player made last summer to return to the side where his professional career began.

Laporte ended his association with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in the summer of 2025. However, FIFA initially ruled that the procedures for his transfer had not been completed within the required timeframe, delaying the defender’s international transfer certificate.

Athletic Club and the Spanish Football Federation appealed against that decision. The ruling was subsequently overturned, allowing Laporte to return to the Basque club eight years after leaving.

Since making his Spain debut, Laporte has remained a key player whenever he has been physically available. He was trusted by former Spain manager Luis Enrique and has continued to feature prominently under current boss Luis de la Fuente.

There had been criticism and doubts over whether Laporte deserved to be included in Spain’s World Cup squad. His performances in the competition, however, helped silence those concerns and further increased interest in his future.

Laporte has also been linked again with Real Madrid in reports from the Spanish media. Barcelona, though, are the club known to have made a formal enquiry through Deco.

Despite that interest, Athletic Club’s position has not changed. They have no intention of considering a sale for less than €80m, putting the onus on Barcelona to decide whether they are prepared to meet the valuation.

Laporte still has two years remaining on his Athletic Club contract. He has made 54 appearances for Spain since the 2021 European Championship, underlining his continued importance at international level when fit.