Barcelona’s Laporte move fell apart after Athletic Club’s financial demands

Barcelona’s attempt to sign Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Club during the summer 2026 transfer window has collapsed, with the Spanish club deterred by the defender’s asking price and the strained relationship between the two clubs.

Tribuna, citing The Athletic, reports that Barcelona had moved close to securing a deal for Laporte and that the player was equally keen on a transfer to Camp Nou.

The Catalan club had identified Laporte as the ideal tactical addition to strengthen its defence. His left-footed profile was considered particularly valuable, while his experience and established understanding with Pau Cubarsi from the Spain national team were also viewed as important advantages.

Barcelona’s interest was based partly on an initial indication from people close to Laporte that his contract contained a relatively low release clause. That information led the club to believe the transfer could be completed for about €15m.

However, the expected agreement failed to materialise after Athletic Club communicated its official financial demands. The Basque club wanted a fee considerably higher than Barcelona’s internal valuation of the player, creating an immediate obstacle to the proposed move.

The difference between the two clubs’ assessments was made more difficult by Barcelona’s financial situation. Club officials were not prepared to enter into a prolonged negotiation process, particularly with relations between Barcelona and Athletic Club already seriously strained after the recent Nico Williams case.

That tension meant there was little appetite at Barcelona for a drawn-out attempt to reach a compromise. Although Laporte’s suitability for the team and his own desire to move to Camp Nou had brought the transfer close, the financial gap ultimately proved too wide.

Laporte had therefore been regarded by Barcelona as a solution that could address both a positional requirement and the club’s need for defensive experience. His ability to operate as a left-footed centre-back, alongside his familiarity with Cubarsi in the Spain set-up, strengthened the case for his recruitment.

The expectation of a deal worth roughly €15m had also helped make the transfer appear achievable. Once Athletic Club’s formal demands became clear, though, Barcelona no longer considered the operation straightforward enough to justify an extended negotiation.

The failed pursuit leaves the proposed move unfinished despite the player’s reported willingness to join and Barcelona’s belief that he matched the tactical profile required. In the end, the combination of Athletic Club’s valuation, Barcelona’s financial constraints and the clubs’ deteriorating relations brought the discussions to an end.

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