Athletic Bilbao Rejects Barcelona's Approach for Aymeric Laporte

Athletic Bilbao have slammed the door on any notion of a bargain move for Aymeric Laporte, sending a blunt message to Barcelona: pay the clause or don’t bother calling.

Laporte’s stock has soared after a superb World Cup, where he formed a commanding partnership with Barcelona’s own Pau Cubarsí. Together, they anchored a defence that conceded just one goal in the entire tournament, a platform that helped the Matador side lift the trophy and pushed Laporte back into the spotlight of Europe’s elite.

Barcelona, alerted by those performances and in need of defensive certainty, quickly moved him up their summer shortlist. The Catalan club’s interest was laid bare by Sport, and the reaction in Bilbao was instant — and furious.

Still smarting from the Nico Williams saga, Athletic feel Barcelona are once again hovering over one of their key assets. Inside San Mamés, there is a clear sense that the line has to be drawn somewhere. This time, they are determined to dictate the terms.

Those terms are expensive.

Reports had suggested a release clause of between 12 and 15 million euros, a figure that would represent a huge opportunity for a club in Barcelona’s financial position. Sources within Athletic have crushed that idea, insisting the real number is close to double. No discounts, no creative structures, no friendly negotiations: the only route to Laporte runs through his full release clause.

The stance is backed by the security of his contract. Laporte is tied to Athletic until the summer of 2028, giving the Basque club leverage and time. They are under no pressure to sell, and they want the market — and Barcelona in particular — to understand it.

For Barcelona, the equation is complicated on more than one front. Even if they decide Laporte is worth that elevated figure, space must be created in Hansi Flick’s back line. The German coach already has five central defenders at his disposal: Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Gerard Martín, Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen.

Someone would have to go before Laporte could walk into the Spotify Camp Nou dressing room.

The sporting logic is tempting. Reuniting Laporte with Cubarsí would give Barcelona a ready-made World Cup partnership, tested under the highest pressure and proven at the very top level. It would also add a left-sided defender comfortable in possession, fitting perfectly with the club’s positional play ideals.

The financial and political reality is harsher. Athletic are in no mood to help Barcelona rebuild on the cheap. If Laporte is to swap San Mamés for Barcelona’s colours this summer, it will be on Bilbao’s terms — and at a price that will test just how badly the Catalans want their World Cup general back in La Liga.