Real Madrid may have a chance to sign former centre-back Aymeric Laporte on a free transfer this summer, with no guarantees that Dean Huijsen will be joining the club.
Madrid’s defense has been a consistent issue this season, with David Alaba struggling with recurring fitness problems since returning from a long-term ACL injury, Eder Militao also sidelined with an ACL injury for the second consecutive year, and Antonio Rudiger also not immune to injuries.
While 20-year-old Aymeric Laporte has been on Madrid’s radar after an impressive campaign with Bournemouth and his standout international debut for Spain in March, his £50m (€59m) release clause has made him an attractive target. However, with Arsenal and Liverpool now competing for his signature, Madrid’s hopes of securing him could be in jeopardy.
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In an unexpected twist, there is a growing possibility that Laporte, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, could become a free agent. Reports from Saudi Arabia suggest Laporte has been in talks with the club to terminate his contract a year early, and it’s speculated that he could soon be available for free, having not featured in any games this month.
Laporte joined Al Nassr in 2023 for €30m (£25m) after five-and-a-half successful years at Manchester City, where he won five Premier League titles. Though a regular starter for City before and after recovering from a long-term knee injury in 2019, he struggled to regain his place during City’s treble-winning 2022/23 season, which led him to move to the Saudi Pro League. Nevertheless, Laporte played an important role for Spain during their victorious European Championship campaign last summer.
Turning 31 at the end of this month, Laporte could be a wise short-term addition for Madrid, especially if Huijsen ultimately chooses another club.