Aymeric Laporte is back at Athletic Club Bilbao after weeks of drama with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The Spanish defender’s transfer was almost blocked because the Saudi club did not send the right papers before the September 1, 2025, deadline. On September 11, FIFA stepped in and allowed the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to collect the documents and confirm the move. Laporte, who is 31, has signed a contract until June 2028. He said his dream was always to return to Bilbao, even if it meant losing money.
Aymeric Laporte Says Al Nassr Delayed His Bilbao Move For Money Reasons
Speaking to reporters in Bilbao on September 12, 2025, Aymeric Laporte opened up about the transfer fight. He said he told Al Nassr at the start that his only wish was to return to Athletic Club. But the Saudi Pro League side looked for higher offers from other clubs in Europe. “I found myself in the middle of nowhere. When you don’t want to negotiate, you can’t do anything,” Laporte said.Reports confirm that clubs from Germany, Italy, France and Turkey were ready to pay bigger fees, but Laporte refused to change his mind. He gave up more money and chose Bilbao instead. He said, “Returning to Athletic was a decision. It was not about money. For more or less, I was going to come back.”The deal nearly collapsed when Al Nassr did not send the transfer papers on time to FIFA’s Transfer Matching System. Athletic had already agreed contracts and payments, but the move was left in doubt until FIFA’s ruling.Also Read: Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo Left Disappointed As Personal Goal Drought Continues Despite Al Nassr Win
Aymeric Laporte Feels Fit, Targets Spain Recall And Hopes For Champions League Chance
Aymeric Laporte has not played a full competitive game since April 2025, but he said he has kept training alone and feels ready to help Athletic. “I feel very good physically. I have been working on my own,” he told the press.Another reason for his return is his hope of making Spain’s national team again before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He shared that coach Luis de la Fuente stayed in touch with him during the transfer fight and encouraged him.Still, one problem remains. Since the transfer was completed after the deadline, Athletic now needs special permission from UEFA to register Laporte for the Champions League. “It was a transfer that should have happened on September 1, so I hope UEFA can give us that spot,” Laporte said.Athletic Club will now prepare for their Champions League opener against Arsenal at home, followed by a La Liga clash with Valencia.
