Overview

• FIFA determined documents from Al-Nassr were submitted after the deadline, preventing Aymeric Laporte’s registration for the first half of the season.
• The Spanish federation has adhered to FIFA’s ruling, leaving an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as Athletic’s only immediate avenue.
• Laporte had agreed personal terms on a three-year contract to rejoin his boyhood club in Bilbao.
• Talks to end his Al-Nassr contract slowed the process, with Athletic reportedly offering a €10m signing-on fee to reach an agreement.
• Ernesto Valverde has only Dani Vivian and Aitor Paredes available at centre-back, with Yeray Alvarez suspended pending a UEFA case and Unai Egiluz out long term.