“You can’t do anything”: Aymeric Laporte reveals the requirements of Al NASSR that risked the movement of the athletic club (image over Getty) Aymeric Laporte is back in Athletic Club Bilbao after weeks of drama with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The transfer of the Spanish defender was almost blocked because the Saudi club did not send the right papers before September 1, 2025, the deadline. 11th September entered FIFA and allowed the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to collect documents and confirm this step. Laporte, which is 31 years old, signed a contract until June 2028.
Aymeric Laporte says Al Nassr delayed his bilbao move for reasons of money
In an interview with reporters in Bilbau 12. September 2025, Aymeric Laporte opened to fight the transfer. He said that at the beginning he said Al Nassra that his only wish was to return to the athletic club. However, the Saudi for the league party was looking for higher offers from other clubs in Europe. “I found myself in the middle of nowhere. If you don’t want to negotiate, you can’t do anything,” Said Laporte.The news confirms that clubs from Germany, Italy, France and Turkey were ready to pay larger fees, but Laporte refused to change his mind. He gave up more money and instead chose Bilbao. Said “Return to Athletice was a decision. It wasn’t about money. After more or less I wanted to return.”The agreement almost collapsed when AL NASSR did not send transmission papers in time to FIFA for transmission. Athletic has already agreed with contracts and payments, but this step was left in doubt until the FIFA decision.Also read: Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo has remained disappointed because the drought of personal goal continues despite the victory of Al Nassr
Aymeric Laporte feels fit, focuses on Spain and hopes for the Champions League chance
Aymeric Laporte has not played a full competitive game since April 2025, but he said he was constantly trained and is ready to help athletics. “I feel very well physically. I worked alone,” he said.Another reason for his return is his hope for the re -creation of the Spanish national team before the World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He shared that coach Luis de la Fuente stayed with him during the fight with the transmission and encouraged him.Yet there is one problem. Since the transfer was completed after the deadline, Athletic now needs a special permission from UEFA to register Laporte for the Champions League. “It was a transfer that should happen 1 September, so I hope UEFA can give us this place,” Laporte said.The Athletic Club will now prepare for its Champions League Opener against Arsenal at home, followed by a clash of La Liga with Valencia.
