Athletic Bilbao warn Barcelona they must pay full Aymeric Laporte clause after World Cup surge

Athletic Bilbao have told Barcelona they will only consider losing defender Aymeric Laporte this summer if the full release clause in his contract is paid, amid growing tension between the clubs following his standout World Cup performances.

Barcelona have identified Laporte as a target in the current transfer window after his impressive partnership with Barca centre-back Pau Cubarsi for Spain, but sources at San Mames insist the financial terms being reported do not reflect the player’s real buy-out figure.

According to Barcelona-based daily Sport, senior figures inside Athletic Bilbao say the release clause in Laporte’s deal is “far higher” than the amounts circulating in the media and will not be negotiated down.

Laporte, who returned to Athletic last season, formed a highly effective central defensive pairing with Cubarsi throughout the World Cup. The duo were central to Spain’s triumph at the tournament, with La Roja conceding only one goal on their way to lifting the trophy.

That form has strengthened Barcelona’s interest, but it has also hardened Bilbao’s stance. The Basque club were already displeased with Barcelona over the recent Nico Williams saga and now believe the Catalan side are again attempting to prise away one of their key players.

Sport reports that Athletic’s hierarchy were angered by detailed stories outlining Barcelona’s supposed plan to move for Laporte. The publication says those leaks have reinforced a perception in Bilbao that Barca are targeting their squad for a second consecutive window.

In response, Athletic are understood to have delivered a firm message: if Barcelona want Laporte, they must trigger his full release clause, with no room for discounts or staggered payments. The club are protected by the fact the defender’s contract runs until the summer of 2028, giving them a strong negotiating position.

Conflicting figures have emerged over the value of that clause. Some sources quoted by Sport suggested a range of €12m to €15m, a fee that would place Laporte in the mid-tier bracket of European central defenders in the current market.

However, officials at Athletic Bilbao have rejected those numbers, insisting internally that the true amount is close to double the figures being mentioned. That would make any deal significantly more complicated for Barcelona, who remain constrained by financial fair play rules and ongoing budget limitations.

Even if Barcelona and Athletic were to find common ground on the price, Laporte’s arrival at the Spotify Camp Nou would still depend on movement within Hansi Flick’s existing defensive options.

The German coach currently has five centre-backs in his first-team squad: Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen. Club sources cited by Sport stress that at least one of those defenders would need to leave before any move for Laporte could realistically be completed.

Barcelona’s sporting department are understood to be monitoring potential exits, but with pre-season under way and the transfer window progressing, the situation remains finely balanced.

For now, Athletic Bilbao’s position is clear: Laporte will only be allowed to depart if Barcelona meet his full release clause, and there will be no concessions despite the defender’s strong relationship with Cubarsi and his recent performances on the world stage.