Athletic Bilbao have hardened their stance over Aymeric Laporte and made it clear to Barcelona that any move for the defender this summer will only happen if his full release clause is paid in full.
Barcelona have identified Laporte as a target in the current transfer window following his impressive performances at the World Cup, but sources at San Mames have briefed that the figure being discussed publicly for his buyout clause is significantly below the reality.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, senior figures inside Athletic insist that the amount written into Laporte’s contract is “much higher” than the sums currently circulating in the media, and that there will be no room for negotiation if Barcelona decide to formalise their interest.
World Cup partnership driving interest
Laporte enhanced his reputation at the World Cup, where he formed a highly effective central defensive partnership with Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi. The pair were instrumental in Spain’s triumph, with the team conceding only a single goal throughout their campaign on the way to lifting the trophy.
That run has strengthened Barcelona’s conviction that Laporte would be an ideal addition to their back line, particularly given his existing on‐pitch understanding with Cubarsi at international level.
Sport recently detailed the steps Barcelona have been taking as they explore the possibility of bringing Laporte to the Spotify Camp Nou, coverage that is understood to have further irritated the Bilbao hierarchy.
Tension over Nico Williams still lingers
Athletic are said to remain unhappy with Barcelona over the saga involving Nico Williams, feeling that the Catalan club have repeatedly tried to unsettle one of their standout players.
That context has coloured their response to the fresh interest in Laporte. Club sources believe Barcelona are once again attempting to prise away a key figure, and their position has therefore been deliberately robust.
In what has been described as a clear message to Barcelona, Athletic have communicated that the only way they will agree to Laporte’s departure is if his release clause is met in its entirety. The centre-back is under contract at San Mames until the summer of 2028, further strengthening the Basque club’s negotiating position.
Release clause figure disputed
Reports from some quarters had suggested that Laporte could be signed for somewhere between €12m and €15m, a valuation that would make him an attractive proposition for Barcelona given their well-documented financial constraints.
However, officials at Athletic have explicitly rejected those numbers, insisting that the genuine clause is close to double the amounts being reported. They have not given an exact figure, but the message from the club is that any interested side must be prepared to pay considerably more than €15m.
Defensive reshuffle required at Barcelona
Even if Barcelona were able to reach an agreement with Laporte and meet Athletic’s demands, any move is likely to hinge on outgoings in defence.
Head coach Hansi Flick already has five central defenders in his squad: Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen. With that level of competition for places, the club would need to offload at least one centre-back before making room, both in sporting terms and on the wage bill, for another senior defender.
For now, Athletic’s firm line over Laporte’s release clause represents a significant obstacle to Barcelona’s interest, and underlines the ongoing tension between the two clubs over the future of some of the Basque side’s leading players.
