Cesar Azpilicueta linked with La Liga return as Aymeric Laporte injury and stand-off with Al-Nassr forces Athletic Club to seek alternative

Athletic’s plans to sign Laporte have hit a major obstacle after the Al-Nassr defender suffered a serious hamstring injury during a training camp in Portugal. With the move now uncertain and their defensive crisis deepening, Marca reports that the Basque side are considering alternatives, including former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea star Azpilicueta, who is currently a free agent.

Athletic are in urgent need of defensive reinforcements after a string of setbacks: Benat Prados suffered an injury against Liverpool, Yeray Alvarez is serving a doping ban, Unai Egiluz is out with a cruciate ligament injury, and Aitor Paredes is sidelined by a muscle strain. With Laporte’s signing delayed, the club is now prioritising an experienced defender who can arrive on a free transfer and fit within their wage structure.

Laporta has reached an agreement to return to Athletic, but Al-Nassr have not yet sanctioned the transfer. The Saudi side are demanding he forego a large chunk of his contract or pay a transfer fee before they will release him, it has been reported. If he does join the Basque club, he will need time to recover from his injury and settle in with his team-mates, forcing Athletic to hunt for a cheap but good alternative.

Laporte is undergoing medical tests to determine the extent of his injury and whether he can feature for Al-Nassr against Al-Ittihad on August 19. Meanwhile, Athletic will decide in the coming days whether to push ahead with Laporte or move quickly for Azpilicueta to strengthen their defense before the season kicks off.