Athletic Bilbao Rejects Low Offer for Aymeric Laporte Amid Barcelona Interest

Athletic Bilbao have delivered a blunt response to Barcelona’s interest in Aymeric Laporte: if you want him, pay the full price.

The Catalan club, encouraged by Laporte’s superb World Cup and his partnership with Pau Cubarsí, have been weighing up a move this summer. His performances on the biggest stage reignited his status as one of Europe’s most reliable centre-backs, and doing it alongside a Barça jewel only sharpened the intrigue at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Laporte and Cubarsí formed a calm, ruthless axis at the heart of the Matador’s defence, conceding just a single goal during the entire tournament. It was the kind of campaign that changes careers and transfer plans. For Barcelona, it presented a tempting solution: bring in an experienced, ball-playing left-footed defender who already understands their emerging leader at the back.

Then came the cold water from Bilbao.

According to Sport, sources inside the Basque club are adamant: the release clause in Laporte’s contract is far higher than the numbers being floated in the media. Some reports had suggested a relatively modest figure in the region of 12–15 million euros. Bilbao have dismissed that as fantasy, insisting the real amount is closer to double.

The message is as much emotional as financial. Still bristling from the Nico Williams saga, Bilbao believe Barcelona are once again circling one of their key players and trying to set the narrative on their own terms. This time, the Basques are determined not to be dragged into a drawn-out negotiation or a public tug-of-war.

Laporte is under contract until the summer of 2028. That gives Athletic both time and leverage. They see no need to compromise, no obligation to entertain anything below the full clause. You want him? Trigger it.

For Barcelona, the situation is complicated even before they get to the fee. Hansi Flick already has a crowded centre-back department: Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Gerard Martín, Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen are all in the squad. Any move for Laporte would almost certainly require a departure first, both to balance the books and to clear space in the dressing room.

So the equation is harshly simple. Offload a defender, find the money, and meet a release clause that is far steeper than originally thought. Or walk away.

Bilbao have made their stance unmistakable. The next move belongs to Barcelona.