Porro and Laporte leave the door open to Barcelona's interest

When a club president speaks well of a player who isn't his, something is stirring. This week, with the Spanish national team gathered ahead of the Nations League, Barcelona's name has come up more than usual in the mouths of two players who, in theory, shouldn't be thinking about another jersey: Pedro Porro and Aymeric Laporte.

Neither has closed the door. They haven't thrown it wide open either, but the tone both used when discussing Barcelona's interest makes clear the subject isn't something they brush off.

Porro, Laporta's favorite

Porro arrives at this gathering having just renewed his contract with Tottenham through 2031, a deal he signed during the World Cup itself. And yet, in an interview with Diario SPORT, he didn't hesitate to admit that Barcelona's interest fills him with pride:

Of course it's flattering. When one of the best clubs in the world is interested in you, or at least that's what they say, it's always a good sign, because it probably means I'm doing my job well. I need to keep going down the same path.Pedro Porro

According to Catalunya Radio, behind that interest is president Joan Laporta himself, who reportedly has a particular fixation on the Spanish fullback. Porro, in fact, said he was surprised to learn of it: "I hadn't seen that. It's also flattering coming from him. Like I said before, it's good that, for example, the president of a club that isn't mine values my work."

The defender was key to Spain's World Cup title, starting every match of the tournament, and upon his return to London he didn't want to stir up more noise than necessary: "I have a contract with my club and I'm very happy there. I also have to respect that. Obviously, that's how football works: things come up, rumors come up, but right now I'm focused on the national team and we'll see after that."

Laporte, with the door half open

The other name in play is Aymeric Laporte, the Athletic Club center back who has already been on Barcelona's radar more than once, including last summer. Speaking to La Vanguardia, the player himself confirmed there was more to it than mere rumors: "They may have been interested, but Athletic didn't want to let me leave, so it couldn't happen."

At 32 years old, Laporte isn't closing any doors on the future either: "It depends on the future, and you never know. It's true that time passes and it gets harder."

Interestingly, Laporte already has a close-up view of the Barcelona dressing room through another center back: Pau Cubarsí, with whom he formed a center back pairing and who this week received the Golden Boy award as the world's best young player. Cubarsí himself had nothing but praise for his teammate: "He doesn't miss, and that's rare at his age. He told me he used to watch me when I was young, even before I'd debuted for Barça, and from the start we had a special connection off the field. I've helped him with my experience and he brings me a freshness and reliability that's hard to find in someone so young."

Two different stories, one common thread: Barcelona continues to keep a close eye on two pieces of the World Cup winning squad, and neither one seems uncomfortable with the idea.