Aymeric Laporte Is Going Home!

Ex-Man City Defender Set to Leave Al-Nassr for Emotional Return to Athletic Club

There’s a certain poetry in football when a player returns home—not just to a club, but to their roots, their identity, their footballing soul. And it seems like Aymeric Laporte, once a pillar of Manchester City’s defense and a recent marquee signing for Al-Nassr, is ready to turn the page once more and head back where it all began: Athletic Club Bilbao.

The 31-year-old Spain international is reportedly on the brink of leaving Saudi Arabia after a season that never quite reached the heights expected when he arrived. His destination? None other than Athletic Club, the side that nurtured him, shaped him, and launched his career onto the European stage.

WHAT HAPPENED?

According to reports from Cadena SER, Aymeric Laporte is no longer part of head coach Jorge Jesus’ plans at Al-Nassr. Despite being a high-profile acquisition—one that came in the same wave as Cristiano Ronaldo’s landmark move—Laporte finds himself on the fringes of the squad as the Saudi giants undergo another tactical rebuild.

Athletic Club, quick to seize the opportunity, have made an initial approach to bring back their former star. Discussions have reportedly begun between Bilbao and Al-Nassr, with both clubs exploring the financial and logistical framework required to finalize the transfer.

But while the desire on Aymeric Laporte’s end is clear—returning to Spain and to a club that aligns more with his footballing DNA—the process is expected to be anything but straightforward.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: CHANGING WINDS IN RIYADH

Al Hilal v Al Shabab – Saudi Pro League

Al-Nassr’s recent decision to part ways with several experienced players is a direct result of Jorge Jesus’ appointment as manager. The former Al-Hilal and Benfica tactician has wasted no time imprinting his style and reshaping the squad to match his high-tempo, possession-focused system.

Laporte, while solid and experienced, reportedly doesn’t fit the mold Jesus is looking for in a modern centre-back. The manager’s vision involves greater tactical fluidity and quicker distribution from the back—a profile that perhaps Aymeric Laporte, at this stage of his career, doesn’t quite fulfill.

It’s not just Aymeric Laporte who’s being edged out. Portuguese midfielder Otavio has also been told he can look for opportunities elsewhere. Jesus is targeting two new midfield signings—one defensive, one attacking—as he tries to build a more balanced and dynamic core.

DID YOU KNOW?

In what can only be seen as a clear replacement strategy, David Hancko, the Slovakian international, has already arrived in Riyadh. The versatile defender, signed from Feyenoord for a reported €33 million, has penned a deal through 2028. The move was fully greenlit by Jorge Jesus, who sees Hancko as central to his long-term project at Al-Nassr.

With Hancko’s arrival and Jesus’ tactical demands on the rise, Aymeric Laporte’s departure seems increasingly inevitable. However, that doesn’t mean Al-Nassr will simply let him walk away. Sources close to the club suggest the Saudi side are prepared to play hardball, especially given the profile and value Aymeric Laporte still holds.

A HOMECOMING TO BASQUE COUNTRY

Luis Diaz Liverpool 2025

For Athletic Club, this move would mark more than just a smart acquisition. It would symbolize a return of one of their own—one of the few elite-level defenders to come through their uniquely Basque-only system in recent memory.

Laporte first joined Athletic as a teenager and broke into the first team in 2012. Over the following six years, he became a cornerstone of the club’s defense before earning a big-money transfer to Manchester City in 2018. Under Pep Guardiola, he became one of the most reliable and elegant defenders in the Premier League, winning four league titles, two FA Cups, and a host of other domestic trophies.

But by 2023, injuries and the emergence of new stars like Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji limited his minutes, prompting a move to Saudi Arabia in search of more playing time and a new challenge.

Now, at 31, with experience in three top leagues and international pedigree, Aymeric Laporte looks poised to bring his career full circle.

THE SPORTING AND EMOTIONAL VALUE

For Athletic Club, the potential return of Aymeric Laporte is a masterstroke in both sporting and emotional terms. The team is already well-organized under manager Ernesto Valverde, who guided the side to a Copa del Rey triumph and a top-six finish last season. But with Europe back on the table, depth and experience in the back line are critical.

Laporte offers both in abundance.

His passing range, positional intelligence, and aerial strength make him a perfect fit for a side that thrives on tactical discipline and counter-attacks. He also brings something intangible—a connection with the fans, an understanding of the club’s culture, and the credibility of having won at the highest level.

That kind of leadership, especially in a dressing room filled with emerging talents like Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, and Unai Vencedor, is invaluable.

WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

While Aymeric Laporte’s exit might clear the way for a younger, faster defense, Al-Nassr still have a long way to go in realizing the dominance they envisioned when they embarked on their ambitious project in 2023. Despite big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and Marcelo Brozović, trophies have eluded them.

Ronaldo, now 40, has reportedly taken a more vocal role in squad planning. It’s understood that he has already held conversations with Jorge Jesus regarding the team’s deficiencies. Among his suggestions? Liverpool winger Luis Díaz, who is being courted by multiple clubs including Bayern Munich.

It’s clear Al-Nassr’s transformation is still in motion. New signings are expected. More exits could follow. But as they chase continental and domestic glory, they are discovering that success isn’t built overnight—even with a galaxy of stars.

FINAL THOUGHTS: SOMETIMES, YOU DO GO BACK

In a footballing world driven by short-termism and mega-money deals, there’s something timeless about a player returning to where it all began. Aymeric Laporte’s potential move back to Athletic Club isn’t just about changing clubs—it’s about reclaiming identity.

Whether the deal gets over the line or not, the story is already resonating with fans. It reminds us all that sometimes, no matter how far you travel, how much you win, or how much you earn—home is where your footballing heart beats loudest.

And for Aymeric Laporte, that heart has always echoed loudest in Bilbao.