The drama is over: Laporte is back in Bilbao

It was a question of whether it would happen. Hours separated the transfer from collapse, but in the end FIFA put a full stop to the transfer deadline saga — and Aymeric Laporte has returned home after seven years! The Spanish center-back left Al Nassr for Athletic Bilbao in a deal worth 10,000,000 euros. That’s how much the Basque club paid Al Nassr for Laporte’s freedom, after which he signed a three-year contract, until June 2028. This also means the end of saga which happened on the last day of the transfer window. The papers for his transfer were late, and FIFA approached Al Nassr to see where the problem arose, but it remained consistent with the rule. The Basque club appealed to the CAS, and won the case.

Laporte enthusiastically announced on all his social media his return to the place where he grew and matured as a footballer, and where, as a first-team player, he made 222 appearances over six seasons. He arrived in Bilbao as a boy and left as a man for Manchester City in January 2018 for 65,000,000 euros. Now he will once again work under Ernesto Valverde, with whom he previously spent four full years.

Laporte trapped in golden cage worth 25,000,000

He first wore Athletic’s shirt in the youth categories and made his senior debut under Marcelo Bielsa, in an away match against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona almost 13 years ago, when he was just 18. During his six seasons with the Lions, he won the Spanish Super Cup and scored 10 goals, while extending his contract with the club four times before leaving for Manchester City. In City, he later collected 13 trophies, including the Champions League and five Premier League titles. He was also crowned European champion with Spain, as well as a Nations League winner in 2023. He joined Al Nassr in June of 2023 for 27,500,000 euros and recorded nine goals in 69 matches. Now it’s time to start the love story all over again.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 4

Friday

22.00: (1.95) Sevilla (3.50) Elche (4.40)

Saturday

15.00: (1.98) Getafe (3.25) Oviedo (4.20)

17.15: (5.40) Sociedad (4.00) Real Madrid (1.63)

19.30: (1.57) Athletic Bilbao (3.90) Alaves (6.30)

22.00: (1.90) Atletico Madrid (3.50) Villareal (4.10)

Sunday

15.00: (1.75) Celta (3.95) Girona (4.85)

17.15: (3.45) Levante (3.40) Betis (2.25)

19.30: (2.50) Osasuna (3.15) Rayo Vallecano (3.00)

22.00: (1.23) Barcelona (7.50) Valencia (13.0)

Monday

22.00: (2.25) Espanyol (3.20) Mallorca (3.40)

***odds are subject to change***