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Espanyol Real Madrid

03/05/26 21:00:00

4.50 3.80 1.75

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The Athletic Club has closed the signing of Aymeric Laporte, who returns to San Mamés after his time at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

The Spanish international center-back is returning to the club where he developed, and it was reported by AS newspaper that the Basque team had to pay 10 million euros to finalize the deal just hours before the end of the summer transfer window.

A necessary reinforcement for the rojiblanca defense

The return of Laporte comes at a crucial moment. With Yeray Álvarez sidelined due to suspension and young Egiluz seriously injured, the defense needed a reinforcement of hierarchy. Aitor Paredes and Dani Vivian have shown a very high level in the early stages of the league, but Ernesto Valverde wanted to add experience and leadership at the back.

The Spanish international arrives after a discreet spell in the Saudi league, where the lack of competitive rhythm limited his performance. Now he will seek to regain prominence at a club where he grew up and where his role will be to compete for a place with two established center-backs.

Negotiations with Al Nassr were intense. The defender, who had cost the Arab club 27.5 million in 2023, had a lucrative contract of 25 million net per season. His departure was not easy, and Athletic had to make an extra financial effort to finalize the agreement.

Finally, the entity presided over by Jon Uriarte contributed 10 million to settle his disengagement and placed Laporte at the top salary level of the squad, with an annual wage close to 7 million. This move demonstrates the club's ambition for the Champions League.

A symbolic comeback for San Mamés

The return of Aymeric Laporte is not only a sporting success but also an emotional gesture for the fans. Trained at Lezama since he was 16, he made his debut in 2012 and became one of the best center-backs in LaLiga before his move to Manchester City in 2018.

With the English club, he won multiple titles and was a key player for Pep Guardiola. Now, after a less brilliant spell in Arabia, he returns to the team that saw him grow footballistically.

"It's a comeback full of symbolism," they say from Ibaigane. "It's not just a signing, it's reclaiming part of our identity."

The Bilbao club is in a good moment. Three wins in three games place them at the top of the table alongside Real Madrid. With the renewal of Nico Williams, the signings of Robert Navarro and Jesús Areso, and now Laporte's return, the team faces the season with one of the most competitive squads in recent years.

Valverde's challenge will be to integrate Laporte into an already consolidated defense. The center-back will need to get up to speed after not playing official minutes since April, but his experience will be crucial in a season where Athletic dreams of causing surprises in both the league and Europe.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, FICHAJE CERRADO: Aymeric Laporte regresa al Athletic Club