Laporte has revealed the full extent of his transfer saga with Al-Nassr, blaming the Saudi club for delaying his return to Athletic Club. Speaking to the media for the first time since re-joining the Basque side, the defender explained that Al-Nassr’s focus on financial gain almost blocked the move, despite him making his intentions clear from the start. “When we started talking with Al-Nassr, I expressed my intention to return to Athletic Club; that was my only objective,” Laporte stated, admitting there were moments he doubted the transfer would happen. “I found myself in the middle of nowhere. When you don’t want to negotiate, you can’t do anything. It’s complicated, but by talking things through, we were able to resolve the issue.”
The Spain international confirmed that Al-Nassr received more lucrative offers from other “important clubs willing to pay large sums,” which caused the hesitation from the Saudi Pro League side. However, Laporte was adamant that his heart was set on a return to San Mames and made a significant financial sacrifice to make it happen. “Returning to Athletic was a decision and it wasn’t a question of money,” he insisted. “For more or less, I was going to come back.” Laporte described his return as an emotional experience, saying he got “goosebumps” hearing the club anthem again and rediscovered the “scent of my childhood” at the Lezama training ground.
The defender’s return was almost scuppered entirely by an administrative error after the move collapsed following the September 1 deadline. Al-Nassr failed to submit the necessary documentation in time, forcing Athletic to appeal to FIFA. While world football’s governing body was initially expected to block the transfer, it granted the club’s request, authorising the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to obtain the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and finally pave the way for Laporte to sign a three-year contract at San Mames.
Despite not having played a competitive match since April, Laporte is confident in his physical condition and is eager to make his second debut for the club. “I feel very good physically,” he said. “I’ve continued training on my own and have gotten in shape as much as I can.”
A key motivation behind the move was to boost his chances of returning to the Spanish national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Laporte confirmed he has been in regular contact with La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente throughout the transfer process.
“He was informed of everything that’s been happening and has always reassured me,” Laporte said. “Returning here is also an important decision for me in terms of being fit at the end of the season and being able to play in the World Cup.”
While Laporte is now officially an Athletic Club player, a significant hurdle remains regarding his eligibility for the Champions League. As the transfer was finalised after the registration deadline, the club must now appeal to UEFA for special dispensation to include him in their European squad. Laporte remains hopeful, stating: “It was a transfer that should have happened on September 1st, so I hope UEFA can give us that spot.”
In the meantime, Athletic Club prepare for Champions League action against Arsenal at home before taking on Valencia in La Liga.
