Image of a football stadium with an out-of-focus player in the foreground and a quote from a coach that says "The squad is closed" with a red X next to it.

José María Giménez will have to wait for a partner, Carlo Ancelotti rules him out

Atlético de Madrid is strengthening itself in all positions. However, defense is where it is costing the most.

Atlético de Madrid has decided to make the signings all at once and in the defensive line a new addition is not ruled out before the market closes. Up front, Julián Álvarez is on the right track , in midfield Conor Gallagher is the chosen one, but it is not ruled out that they sign Javi Guerra as well. If we talk about defense, the favorite has always been David Hancko .

Feyenoord: a difficult obstacle to overcome

The problem in hiring the Slovak is the club he belongs to, the Rotterdam club is inflexible in its economic stance against Atlético de Madrid. Either they bring an offer of 35 million euros, or there is no deal. They do not consider the possibilities of haggling and their arrival becomes complicated.

That is why, like every football team, there must be contingency plans so that it is not the only option. This is where the European champion central defender and Al-Nassr starter plays: Aymeric Laporte.

A soccer player in a yellow shirt celebrates a goal with his hands on his ears.
Aymeric Laporte, celebrates a goal with Al-Nassr | Google Imagenes

High salary and with a valid contract

These are the two main obstacles that every club must overcome when it wants to fish in the Saudi league. In the case of the Spanish-French, he has a contract with Al-Nassr until 2026 and his salary is around 25 million net annually. A real nonsense for any club in Europe.

In another article recently in EstoEsAtleti , we talked about the possibility that Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid was interested as well. However, the Italian coach himself, in a press conference, closed the squad with the players he has. This causes Atlético de Madrid to clear the way for Aymeric Laporte.

A path that would be possible if the price is lowered enormously and depending on the price that the Saudis ask for his transfer. Let us remember that at the time they signed him for 25 million euros to Manchester City.

His ex-team also wants him

A few days ago it was also leaked from Bilbao that his previous team, Athletic, would be willing to wait for the Spanish national team center back until the last moment. There is talk of a transfer price of around 20 million euros, which the Basque red and white club could undertake, even more so if they manage to sell Nico Williams.

Regarding his record, it would be reduced - as we have commented before - and his contract would have a duration of 4 years . The fact of playing in Europe is also an incentive for the veteran defender born in the south of France.

Be that as it may, it seems that we will have to wait until the last minute of the market to find out if Aymeric Laporte is moving clubs. The two red and white LaLiga clubs par excellence seem their most likely destinations . It will also depend on the money that Atlético de Madrid has invested, reaching the last days of the transfer market.

A soccer player in a red and white uniform competes for the ball with a player in a blue and white uniform in a match.
Aymeric in his time at Athletic Club | Google Imagenes