Aymeric Laporte talks Barcelona interest, Lamine, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ballon d’Or: ‘Athletic didn’t want to let me leave’

Aymeric Laporte talks Barcelona interest, Lamine, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ballon d’Or: ‘Athletic didn’t want to let me leave’ As we head into the second international break of the season, Aymeric Laporte was set to re-establish his partnership with Pau Cubarsi, but has been ruled out due to a viral infection. This partnership could well have been a reality at Barcelona as well, given that the Catalans giants were interested in signing the Man City star in the summer. In a recent interaction, Laporte has opened up about Barcelona’s interest in the summer while offering his thoughts on Cubarsi, among others. Laporte on failed Barcelona move and Cubarsi First and foremost, Laporte was asked about the possibility of a summer move to Barcelona, but the player confirmed Athletic Club had no desire to let him go. Laporte was a key defensive target for Barcelona in the summer. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) “There may have been interest on their part, but Athletic Bilbao didn’t want to let me leave, so a move wasn’t possible ,” he said (h/t FCB World ). This comes against the backdrop of reports stating Laporte himself was keen on joining Barcelona . Talking about the road ahead, the defender did not completely rule out but admitted the idea of a move to Barça is becoming more and more difficult. “It depends on the future. No one knows what will happen. It’s true that time passes and it becomes more difficult,” he added. Laporte also talked about Cubarsi, who he shares an excellent defensive bond with. “He told me he looked up to me when he was young, even before his first appearance for Barcelona “From the start, we developed a special bond off the pitch. I helped him with my experience, and he gives me the energy and reassurance that’s hard to find in a player his age. He doesn’t make mistakes, which is rare at his age,” he said. Laporte on Rodri, Ballon d’Or Athletic Club did not want to sell Laporte. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images) The former Manchester City defender also offered his thoughts on Barcelona’s new signing and Spain’s star midfielder Rodri, who is currently out injured . “I wasn’t surprised. He was born here, and the Premier League demands a lot physically. He came to play the kind of football we love and that suits him, and that’s the best thing for him,” he said. Rodri was also one of the contenders to win the Ballon d’Or as well as his teammate Lamine Yamal, who eventually finished third. Laporte acknowledged how Yamal, as well as Rodri and Fabian Ruiz were among the top ten but none of them ended up winning the award. “Lamine in particular had high hopes. Lamine, Fabian and Rodri were among the top ten, and they had hopes of winning just like any other player, but it depends on many factor ,” he concluded.