Aymeric Laporte's proposed transfer from Al-Nassr to Athletic Bilbao has been blocked by FIFA due to Al-Nassr's failure to submit the required transfer documents before the deadline. The Spanish international had agreed to rejoin his former club for a fee of €10 million, but will not be able to register with the team until January.

The deal was reportedly finalized between Athletic Club, Al-Nassr, and Laporte on September 1, 2025, the final day of the transfer window. However, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation did not submit the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS) in time. Despite Athletic Club complying with La Liga's registration deadlines, the lack of timely international clearance from Al-Nassr led FIFA to block the move.

Athletic Club appealed to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to register Laporte, but because it was an international transfer, the final decision rested with FIFA, which ruled against it. FIFA's decision means that Laporte, who had already agreed to personal terms on a three-year deal, will not be able to join Athletic Bilbao. The club had envisioned him as a key part of their defense for the upcoming Champions League season, as they are returning to the competition for the first time in 10 years.

According to sources, Laporte's €10 million move collapsed because Al-Nassr did not file the necessary transfer paperwork before the window closed. Athletic Club had put together a substantial signing-on package, determined to bring back their homegrown talent. Laporte had reportedly turned down numerous other offers during the summer, focusing on a return to Bilbao, even as Al-Nassr resisted his request for a free or contract-terminated exit. Al-Nassr refused to terminate his contract and grant him a free transfer, with the Spanish club reportedly considering legal action.

Athletic Bilbao is reportedly trying hard to find a solution that satisfies Al-Nassr and Laporte. The club has stated that if the transfer cannot be completed, no fees will be paid, as stipulated in the contract. While Athletic Bilbao explores its legal options, the football world awaits the next development in this complex situation.

This situation is similar to the failed transfer of David de Gea from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2015, which was also scuppered by a missed deadline. The current situation leaves Laporte in limbo. Having spent the last two seasons with Al-Nassr, the defender was looking to return to Athletic Club, the team he left in January 2018. He has played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané but was seeking a return to his former club. This administrative oversight has now condemned the 31-year-old defender to return to Saudi Arabia, where he remains contracted until June 2026.