Barcelona are preparing to open formal talks with the representatives of Spain defender Aymeric Laporte in the coming hours or days, as the club step up a serious move to bring the World Cup winner to the Camp Nou.
The Catalan club, encouraged by the 32-year-old’s outstanding performances in Spain’s recent World Cup triumph, see Laporte as a leading candidate to reinforce their back line for next season.
According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Barcelona’s hierarchy plan to establish direct contact with the player’s entourage to gain a clear picture of his intentions and future plans. The report says Barca are particularly attracted by the fact Laporte is left-footed, offers a blend of experience and relative freshness, and is regarded as attainable at a reasonable cost.
Talks set to resume after World Cup
Initial conversations are understood to have already taken place while Barcelona sporting director Deco was in the United States. During that trip, the parties agreed to resume discussions once the World Cup had concluded – a moment that is now imminent.
Deco is said to have watched several of Spain’s matches from the stands and came away highly impressed by Laporte’s level, especially his partnership with Pau Cubarsi at the heart of the defence. The pair formed one of the tournament’s most solid central-defensive pairings, with their resilience viewed as a crucial factor in “La Roja” lifting the trophy.
Barcelona believe Laporte still has several high-level seasons ahead of him. Within the club, his extensive experience, leadership qualities and exceptional ability to play out from the back are all seen as attributes that fit perfectly with the team’s possession-based style.
Affordable clause boosts Barcelona hopes
From a financial perspective, the deal is seen as particularly attractive. Sport reports that the release clause in Laporte’s contract with Athletic Bilbao is set below €15m – a figure considered very reasonable given his international pedigree and recent World Cup-winning status.
At a time when Barcelona’s spending remains tightly controlled, a defender of Laporte’s calibre at that price point is viewed internally as a significant market opportunity.
Inside the Camp Nou, officials are also drawing parallels with the successful signing of veteran Basque defender Inigo Martinez. His arrival was met with some scepticism initially, but Martinez went on to become a regular starter thanks to his consistent, rugged performances and the stability he brought to the back line. That experience is being cited as a positive precedent for a similar move for Laporte.
Cautious approach before final decision
Despite their strong interest, Barcelona are understood to be proceeding with caution. The club intend to hold thorough and detailed negotiations with Laporte’s agents in the coming days before Deco decides whether to push ahead and formalise an offer or leave the matter at the level of an exploratory enquiry.
For now, Laporte’s name remains prominently on Barcelona’s shortlist of defensive targets for next season. The outcome of the imminent talks will determine whether the World Cup winner becomes the next major addition to the club’s evolving back four.
