Laporte’s proposed Barcelona move collapsed as Athletic Club refused to sell

Aymeric Laporte was prepared to join Barcelona last summer, but the move failed to materialise after Athletic Club decided they did not want to part with the experienced centre-back.

Barcelona seriously considered signing the 32-year-old, who was also in favour of moving to the Catalan club. Laporte, a World Cup winner, approved the idea of joining the Spanish giants, yet Athletic Club’s reluctance to sell ultimately prevented the transfer from going ahead.

The report indicates that Laporte was open to a return to Barcelona’s plans, but the Basque side maintained its position over the defender. As a result, no agreement was reached and the player remained with Athletic Club.

Laporte’s estimated market value is currently €8m, according to Transfermarkt. His contract with Athletic Club runs until the middle of 2028, giving the club a long-term commitment from the experienced central defender.

The proposed move would have seen Barcelona add further experience to their defence, while Laporte would have joined a club that had seriously assessed his availability. However, Athletic Club’s unwillingness to release him meant the possibility ended without a transfer being completed.

Laporte has established himself as an experienced defender at international and club level. His status as a World Cup winner was one of the factors behind Barcelona’s serious consideration of his candidacy, although the Catalan club did not complete a deal last summer.

The latest information comes before the two clubs’ next La Liga fixtures. Barcelona will travel to face Valencia on Sunday, while Athletic Club will host Atletico de Madrid at San Mames one day earlier.

Barcelona’s match against Valencia will take place away from home, while Athletic Club will meet Atletico de Madrid in Bilbao. Those fixtures provide the immediate focus for both clubs, although Laporte’s failed move remains a notable piece of transfer background involving Athletic Club and Barcelona.

Despite Barcelona’s interest and Laporte’s willingness to join, the defender’s contract situation and Athletic Club’s stance kept him at the Basque club. With his current agreement running through mid-2028 and his Transfermarkt valuation listed at €8m, the circumstances behind the abandoned move remain clear: Barcelona considered the player, Laporte was receptive to the idea, but Athletic Club did not want to sell.