Athletic Club coach dismisses Barcelona’s Laporte interest as ‘not a new story’
While FC Barcelona view the Spanish international as a financially attainable target with a €12.5 million release clause, the move is not currently a priority for the Catalan club.
Athletic Club head coach Edin Terzic has addressed ongoing transfer speculation linking defender Aymeric Laporte with a move to FC Barcelona, describing the reports as a recurring narrative rather than a developing crisis. Speaking after his side’s friendly match against Sestao River, Terzic drew parallels to the previous summer’s transfer saga involving winger Nico Williams, suggesting a pattern of external interest in Athletic Club’s key players.
“I don’t think this is a new story, perhaps just with a different name,” Terzic said, according to reports from SPORT. He indicated that his focus remains on the squad returning to training, rather than engaging with the media frenzy surrounding potential departures.
Barcelona have identified Laporte as an attractive option for their defensive line, particularly following his performances for Spain during the World Cup alongside Pau Cubarsi. The Catalan club values the veteran defender for his experience, left-footedness, and financial accessibility, with his release clause reportedly set at approximately €12.5 million.
Preliminary conversations regarding a potential move were initiated during Barcelona sporting director Deco’s recent trip to the United States. Both parties agreed to revisit the situation after the conclusion of the World Cup, though the exact status of negotiations with the player’s representatives remains unclear.
Despite the interest, signing Laporte is not currently a priority for Barcelona. The centre-back position is considered well-occupied by a roster that includes Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, and Ronald Araujo. Unless there are departures from these ranks, the club is unlikely to prioritise a new central defender.
Instead, Barcelona’s utmost priority remains the signing of a new centre-forward. Julian Alvarez is identified as the top target for the forward line, a pursuit that takes precedence over defensive reinforcements at this stage of the transfer window.
