Aymeric Laporte has become Real Madrid's priority to strengthen the defensive line in winter. Florentino has set conditions, however, which aren't accepted at Al-Nassr. They've been clear about Laporte's possible departure, setting a price that doesn't fit the Madrid president's valuation.
Defensa Central has discovered that Laporte told Real Madrid about "his total willingness" to be signed in January. In addition, he's agreed to lower the salary he receives at Al-Nassr. This is all very well but there's a problem with this operation. He is one of the main assets of the Saudi Arabian team, which doesn't need any money.
A little over a year ago, Al-Nassr paid almost 30 million euros for Aymeric Laporte. Now they are asking for a similar amount to let him leave for Madrid. Florentino knows that to sign the Spanish international he will have to pay around 25 million euros, a figure that doesn't satisfy him. He is a top-class defender but too old for the price placed on him.
The option of Laporte has been considered since last summer, but Florentino seems to be facing the same problem again. Al-Nassr doesn't want to get rid of him and has set a high price for them to accept his departure to Real Madrid.
Laporte is Real Madrid's Priority
After Militão's recent injury, Florentino has decided to strengthen the defense in January. The priority right now is Laporte, the most likely transfer for Real Madrid. He doesn't have the profile that was sought until recently. Even so, necessity has made him the first firm candidate to move to Santiago Bernabéu.
Florentino Pérez is clear that he is the ideal center-back to land at Real Madrid, also because of his price. He's considered other possibilities, but they are all too expensive. In the case of Aymeric Laporte, the intention would be to close a transfer that would be around 10 or 12 million euros. In this sense, it would neecesary to receive the approval of Al-Nassr, the team where the Spanish center-back has a contract until 2026.
This is the price that Florentino doesn't want to exceed, but the valuations that both parties make of Laporte are very far apart. In particular, there's a difference of more than 10 million, which today seems unfeasible. One thing is clear: If he wants to play for Real Madrid, the veteran center-back will have to insist.