Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he’ll remain at Al Nassr despite rumors linking him to a move to a club participating in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. With his contract set to expire at the end of June, the Portuguese icon is committed to staying—but he could be set to lose one of his top teammates, who has reportedly attracted interest from a UEFA Champions League club.
After falling short in both the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League title race and qualification for the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite, Al Nassr has begun reworking its roster in an effort to build a more competitive squad around Ronaldo. However, that plan could shift with the potential departure of one key player.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Athletic Club is targeting Aymeric Laporte for the 2025–26 season. The Basque side is reportedly preparing a strong proposal to lure the Spanish international back to Bilbao, despite competition from several European clubs.
Athletic Club recently enjoyed a standout season, finishing fourth in La Liga and reaching the UEFA Europa League semifinals. As reported by Diario AS, head coach Ernesto Valverde has personally requested Laporte’s signing, with sporting director Mikel González handling the negotiations.
Still, the financials present a significant hurdle. Laporte has one year left on his Al Nassr contract, earning a reported €25 million per season—an amount that poses a challenge for any European side. Additionally, the Saudi club is reportedly seeking to recoup a portion of the €27 million spent on the defender’s transfer.
Laporte spent eight seasons at Athletic after joining the club’s academy in 2010, before moving to Manchester City. Now, with reported interest from clubs like Arsenal, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, and Napoli, Bilbao is hoping to lure him back—not only with sporting ambition, but also personal factors, including his partner Sara Botello’s ties to the region.
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Laporte edging toward exit from Al Nassr
Laporte was expected to anchor Al Nassr’s defense, but his tenure has been underwhelming. Under coach Stefano Pioli, he was dropped from the squad in the final six matches of the season following the team’s AFC Champions League semifinal loss to Kawasaki Frontale. He didn’t even feature in training sessions.
With Pioli now expected to leave the club to take over at Fiorentina, Laporte’s situation remains uncertain. A return to the pitch in Riyadh isn’t off the table—but a move away from Saudi Arabia appears increasingly likely.
