Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has opened the door to a potential summer move to FC Barcelona, expressing strong interest in wearing the Blaugrana shirt for the upcoming season.
Initial discussions took place while Barcelona Sporting Director Deco was in the United States covering the 2026 World Cup, with both parties agreeing to resume talks following the conclusion of the tournament, according to Spanish media outlets.
Catalan outlet Esport3 reported that the center-back is genuinely excited about the prospect of joining Barcelona, providing the club with a major boost before taking concrete steps toward finalizing the transfer.
Strong World Cup Partnership with Pau Cubarsí
The 32-year-old defender caught the attention of Barcelona officials after forming a formidable defensive partnership with young talent Pau Cubarsí, helping lead Spain to a World Cup triumph over Argentina.
Barcelona views Laporte as an ideal candidate to reinforce their backline. His extensive experience, left-footed profile, ability to build play from the back, and proven chemistry with Cubarsí make him a highly attractive target.
Adding to the appeal of the potential transfer is a release clause in Laporte’s contract valued under €15 million, which would allow Barcelona to secure his signature without entering lengthy or complex negotiations with Athletic Bilbao.
Deco and Barcelona Face Final Decision
However, Laporte’s desire alone does not guarantee a completed deal. Deco has yet to make a final decision regarding triggering the release clause, while Athletic Bilbao remain keen to keep the defender, who is under contract until June 2028 and considered a key pillar of their project.
With the green light secured from the newly crowned World Cup winner, the ball is now in Barcelona’s court to decide whether to turn their interest into an official bid or keep Laporte as just one of several defensive options.
