Laporte Leaves Door Open to Barcelona Move After Summer Interest

What happened

Athletic Club defender Aymeric Laporte has declined to rule out a future move to Barcelona, according to a report by Get Spanish Football News. The 32-year-old was asked about the prospect during an interview with La Vanguardia, cited by Diario Sport, on Friday, and said the possibility depends on what happens in the future.

Report details

"It depends on the future, which you never know," Laporte said. "It is true that time passes and becomes more difficult."

The comments follow a summer in which Laporte was heavily linked with Hansi Flick's Barcelona squad. The report states that Barcelona, with Deco involved in recruitment, identified Laporte as a leading option to strengthen the centre of defence. The interest was shaped by his partnership with Barcelona teenager Pau Cubarsí at the World Cup, which the report describes as spectacular, and he was seen as a suitable partner for the 19-year-old at club level as well.

No deal materialised, however. According to the report, Barcelona refused to meet Athletic's considerable demands for a player in the later stages of his career. The source does not indicate any renewed negotiations or a timetable for a future approach; Laporte's remarks leave the door open without confirming any move.