Barcelona came closer to exploring an Aymeric Laporte transfer this summer than previously understood, with The Athletic revealing that the Spain international was interested in joining the Catalan club.
Laporte emerged as a potential solution to one of Barcelona's clearest recruitment priorities: finding a left-footed centre-back capable of filling the role previously occupied by Inigo Martinez.
As per the outlet, the club initially believed a deal could be possible for around €15 million.
However, that expectation changed once Athletic Club made their financial demands clear, which were considerably higher.
Barcelona considered the asking price too high and withdrew before the idea developed into formal negotiations, meaning Laporte never came particularly close to becoming a Barça player.

#Athletic

Following the loan departure of Ronald Araujo, it was repored that FC Barcelona will enter the market for a new defender.
The Blaugrana, led by sporting director Deco and manager Hansi Flick, were understood to be looking for a left-footed centre-back, giving ways to links with several names.
While Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Club was touted as a key target, another name on the La Liga champions' radars was Natan of Real Betis.
Natan was expected to be one of the main figures in Real Betis' transfer window, but so far his prominence has come more from rumours than concrete offers.
Los Verdiblancos have not received the bids they were expecting for the Brazilian, although his name continues to circulate in the market, especially with Barcelona, with his agent, Andre Cury, even admitting contacts with the Catalans.

#Barcelona #natan #real

A new centre-back is high up Barcelona's priority list of operations for the summer transfer window, yet remains as one where the club have made the least progress.
Over the past few weeks, the Catalans have been superficially linked with several players including Aymeric Laporte, Alessandro Bastoni, Castello Lukeba and even Cristian Romero.
However, no notable progress has been made on any front.
Now, a report on SPORT brings to light an update on the club's centre-back aspirations and a critical decision they have taken on that front.
Indeed, as conveyed by the Spanish outlet, Barcelona have made contact with RB Leipzig to enquire about the situation and availability of Castello Lukeba. As a left-footed centre-back, he is seen as a great option.

#front

The shock departure of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona to Liverpool shocked the world, especially given how it was a move that appeared out of the blue.
As matters stand, the Uruguayan star has already travelled to England for his medicals with the Merseyside club willing to pay out his full salary during his loan stint.
The development thus arrives as a massive boost to Barcelona's plans, although it does leave them an option short in the department. Deco and Co. are busy scouting the market on that front.
As confirmed by MARCA in a recent report, Aymeric Laporte is an option Deco and Hansi Flick truly admire, and the club have made contact with him in the past.
Deco admires Laporte. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

#club #ronald #Barcelona #uruguayan

The brass at Barcelona are considering a move for Athletic Club star Aymeric Laporte before the summer is out. This of course comes ahead of the imminent departure of Ronald Araújo from Catalunya's capital.
The situation at the heart of Hansi Flick's Blaugrana backline has taken a sudden, unexpected shift over the course of the last 24 hours.
After Premier League giants Liverpool touched base with their counterparts at the Camp Nou regarding a potential deal for the aforementioned Ronald Araújo, Deco and co. opened the door to a loan move.
The Uruguayan, as a result, is widely expected to spend the duration of the upcoming season plying his trade at Anfield.
Barcelona, all of a sudden, therefore look somewhat short on options in central defence. As things stand, Hansi Flick has Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, the oft-injured Andreas Christensen and academy graduate Álvaro Cortés at his disposal.

#Barcelona #ronald #club #aymeric

Barcelona's transfer plans have turned on its head in the last 24 hours or so.
Earlier, the club were expected to solely focus on Julian Alvarez and Rodri deals. But that equation has changed after the club reportedly agreed to loan out Ronald Araujo to Liverpool.
Now, Barcelona must also look for a new centre-back, as Hansi Flick's men are running thin when it comes to depth at the heart of the backline.
According to Victor Navarro, Barcelona are considering a move for Aymeric Laporte, in their bid to replace the departing Araujo.
Laporte enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)

#Barcelona #club #rodri #Liverpool

FC Barcelona have now shifted their focus to the summer transfer window after seeing eight of their players lift the World Cup in New Jersey on Sunday.
Central defence seems to be an area the club could look to address, with a potential move for Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte on the cards.
However, other reports have also revealed that Barça are not treating the signing of a new centre-back as a priority at the moment.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are keeping Cristian Romero on their list of possible defensive targets, but only if one of the current defenders leaves.
Romero is expected to leave Tottenham this summer, with Inter Milan working on a possible deal and direct talks with the defender’s representatives expected.

#jersey

Barça Universal can exclusively report that Aymeric Laporte is one of the centre-backs most appreciated by Hansi Flick.
It must be remembered that while signing a striker remains Barcelona's priority this summer, the club has not ruled out adding an experienced defender should the market present a favourable opportunity.
It is in this regard that the Spanish defender has appeared within the discussion at Spotify Camp Nou.
At this stage, however, the Athletic Club veteran is viewed more as a contingency option than an immediate transfer objective.
As such, Barcelona believe Laporte possesses many qualities that Flick wants in an experienced central defender.

Spain has been dreadfully boring for most of this World Cup.
At times, there was a lack of urgency. At others, a lack of creativity. However, at no point did the squad lack talent or skill and Luis de la Fuente knew exactly when he needed to let his boys loose.
Against France, Spain followed De La Fuente’s game plan and choked out France’s incredible attacking group. Dominant in the midfield, Spain strangled the imagination from France by not giving Michael Olise an inch to work with — so much so that the Bayern Munich star retreated to the wide areas.
Rodri and Fabián Ruiz were stellar in controlling the tempo of the match and seemingly being in every passing lane that France tried to use.
Aside of taking Olise out of the game, Pau Cubarsi (the best young player of this tournament bar none), Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, and Pedro Porro made life ******* for Kylian Mbappé, who lost more of his swagger by the minute in the game. Mbappé seemed to get more befuddled by what was going on and seemed to not accept that his team was being beaten…soundly.

Spain has been dreadfully boring for most of this World Cup.
At times, there was a lack of urgency. At others, a lack of creativity. However, at no point did the squad lack talent or skill and Luis de la Fuente knew exactly when he needed to let his boys loose.
Against France, Spain followed De la Fuente’s game plan and choked out France’s incredible attacking group. Dominant in the midfield, Spain strangled the imagination from France by not giving Michael Olise an inch to work with — so much so that the Bayern Munich star retreated to the wide areas.
Rodri and Fabián Ruiz were stellar in controlling the tempo of the match and seemingly being in every passing lane that France tried to use.
Aside of taking Olise out of the game, Pau Cubarsi (the best young player of this tournament bar none), Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, and Pedro Porro made life ******* for Kylian Mbappé, who lost more of his swagger by the minute in the game. Mbappé seemed to get more befuddled by what was going on and seemed to not accept that his team was being beaten…soundly.

Despite signing no less than three new defenders this summer, Real Madrid's new coach, Jose Mourinho, remains keen on signing yet another new centre-back.
To that end, the club have been closely linked with a move for Aymeric Laporte in the past, but the club never entertained the opportunity.
But now, following his brilliant performances at the World Cup, Laporte has once again appeared on Real Madrid's radar.
Laporte has been superb in this World Cup. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
According to Defensa Central, Laporte has been offered to Real Madrid through intermediaries, but those at Valdebebas are not particularly enthused by the prospect of signing him.

Portugal and Spain face off this Monday at the AT&T Stadium in World Cup.
In their last fixture, Portugal won 2-1 against Croatia (World Cup 2026). In their last game, Spain won 3-0 against Austria (World Cup 2026).
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw.
Portugal ( vs Croatia 2026-07-03): Diogo Costa, João Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão
Spain ( vs Austria 2026-07-02): Unai Simón, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Rodri , Dani Olmo, Pedri González, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Álex Baena

Lamine Yamal announced his arrival at World Cup 2026 on Sunday with a goal after just 11 minutes of his first start against Saudi Arabia. La Roja looked a different team with the Barcelona teenager back in the starting XI after injury and went on to cruise to a 4-0 win.
World Cup debutants Cape Verde sprinkled more magic over the tournament by picking up another impressive point. After pulling off a huge shock by holding Spain in their opener, the Blues Sharks made more waves by drawing with Uruguay. A place in the knockout stages is not out of the question now.
Time to check out the best goals of Day 11….
Yamal made his first start of World Cup 2026 against Saudi Arabia and took very little time to get his name on the scoresheet. Mikel Oyarzabal fizzed in a cross from the left and Yamal slid in at the far post to score his first ever World Cup goal.
Spain quickly made it 2-0 from a corner. Aymeric Laporta flicked on a wayward shot by Dani Olmo to Mikel Oyarzabal to fire home.

Spain are almost guaranteed a place in the World Cup Round of 32 after thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta
After an underwhelming opening Group H draw with Cape Verde, La Roja needed a statement win to restore confidence - and they got it.
Rodri, wearing the captain’s armband, gave a commanding display as Spain put the Saudis under pressure from the word go.
And it took just 10 minutes to make that pressure pay, as Mikel Oyarzabal ‘s cross was turned in by Lamine Yamal at the far post.
The Spanish then effectively ended the contest with two goals in three minutes on 21 and 24 minutes, with Mikel Oyarzabal the scorer on each occasion and former City favourite Aymeric Laporte providing an ******* ist for one of the goals.