90min

Real Madrid hit obstacle in pursuit of ex-Man City defender - report

  • Aymeric Laporte identified as a target to boost Real Madrid's defence
  • Centre-back options currently limited at the Bernabeu due to injury
  • La Liga champions would need to negotiate transfer fee with Al Nassr

By Jamie Spencer

Aymeric Laporte has emerged as a Real Madrid target
Aymeric Laporte has emerged as a Real Madrid target / Richard Pelham/GettyImages
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Real Madrid are reported to be in pursuit of Aymeric Laporte but face a significant obstacle when it come to negotiating with the former Manchester City centre-back's current club.

After 180 appearances for City and five Premier League titles in five and a half years, Laporte joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia for €27.5m (£23.6m). But it was hardly a step towards retirement, as the Spain international wound up a key part of his adopted country's success at Euro 2024.

Madrid seemingly spied an opportunity to boost their threadbare centre-back options, with a lack of options beyond starting pairing Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao. David Alaba remains sidelined, potentially until January in the worst case scenario, while Nacho Fernandez has moved on. Jesus Vallejo will bump up numbers after returning from loan, but more has been said about Aurelien Tchouameni continuing to fill in at the back as he did on several occasions last season.

Leny Yoro had been the great hope, but he was persuaded to join Manchester United instead.

Aymeric Laporte
Laporte joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia last summer / Francois Nel/GettyImages

AS writes that Laporte, who last played in La Liga with Athletic club in 2018, would be willing to give up the highly lucrative contract he has in Saudi Arabia – worth a reported €24m net annually. He has earned that amount already but could forgo the remaining €48m if it means the chance to join Real Madrid. The 30-year-old wouldn't demand a similar salary at the Bernabeu either.

But while Madrid hope to sign Laporte on a free transfer, Al Nassr understandably won't agree to that. He is under contract until 2026 and the Saudi Pro League side, who finished second in the final standings last season, will only allow him to leave if a fee is paid.

Madrid managed to land Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer this summer, but the deal isn't exactly 'free' when the Frenchman will instead be paid a nine-figure bonus over the course of his contract. The reigning European champions are also only a year removed from agreeing a €134m deal for Jude Bellingham. Tchouameni's overall transfer fee reached €100m in 2022 too.

They missed out on Yoro due to not being willing to offer more than €25m for him. The teenage centre-back eventually went to England for more than €60m.

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