Aymeric Laporte has today made it clear in an interview with El Desmarque, reported by Mundo Deportivo, that it was not the right time for him to return to Athletic Club.
Both Jon Uriarte, president of the Basque club, and Mikel González, the club’s director of football, have implied over the last few days that the possibility of the now Spanish international returning to Bilbao had been “very close”.
“I had opportunities outside of Al Nassr. Athletic? Athletic I was in contact with. Well, actually I’ve been in contact since I left. We were talking over the years since I left, and we would meet up, I would come and go. There was no problem with that,” said Laporte.
The left-sided centre-back then added: “I knew and I know that they have always been there, that I always want to return the affection and everything they have given me since I was very young. I have always said it. I will always be grateful for everything they have done, but I didn’t believe that the time was right and I preferred to take another route.”
When asked where he would like to retire, Laporte replied that he would like to finish his career at Athletic or French club Bordeaux.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
