![[DEALS] The 2025 Ultimate GenAI Masterclass Bundle (87% off) & Other Deals Up To 98% Off – Offers End Soon!](https://www.javacodegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/jcg-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
-Olekcii_Mach_Alamy.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale#)
![Air Traffic Controller Claps Back At United CEO Scott Kirby: ‘You’re The Problem At Newark’ [Roundup]](https://viewfromthewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/scott-kirby-on-stage.jpg?#)
Third-highest paid defender in world football to have £390,000-a-week contract torn up
Aymeric Laporte is set to terminate his £390,000-a-week contract with Al Nassr, talkSPORT understands. The former Manchester City star, who is believed to be the third-highest paid defender in world football, joined the Saudi Pro League outfit in 2023 for £23.6million. Laporte has played 69 games for Al Nassr since joining the clubGetty But it now seems Laporte is prepared to turn his back on his eye-watering earnings, despite having a year left on his current contract. The Spain international has had a difficult relationship with manager Stefano Pioli. Laporte’s struggles to see eye-to-eye with his coach have seen him struggling for game time recently. He was dropped to the bench for Al Nassr’s Asian Champions League semi-final defeat to Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale. Since then, the 30-year-old has found himself left out of the squad entirely for his side’s league fixtures against Al Ittihad and Al Okhdood. As a result, the Spanish outlet claim he is now expected to leave the club in the coming days, despite his current deal running until 2026. And Laporte is expected to have plenty of options as he prepares to navigate life as a free agent. Prior to his Man City exit, Real Madrid were linked with a move for the French-born player, who are believed to be in the market for a new defender. Marseille have also been tipped to snap up Laporte, with the French side recently securing Champions League qualification. However, he will likely have to accept a pay cut should he return to Europe, with only Al Hilal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk earning more as defenders. Laporte is set to lose his status among the highest-earning defenders in footballGetty Virgil van Dijk’s recently signed a lucrative new two-year contract with LiverpoolGetty GettyKalidou Koulibaly is currently the highest-paid defender in world football at Al Hilal[/caption] Former Chelsea man Koulibaly earns £553,225-per-week in the Saudi Pro League, while Van Dijk recently signed a £400,000-per-week deal at Anfield. Laporte has been among a number of high-profile names at Al Nassr during his time in the Middle East. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Jhon Duran and Marcelo Brozovic are all currently plying their trade with the Riyadh outfit. Despite being joined by an array of talent, Laporte has failed to lift a single piece of silverware in nearly two years at the club. The five-time Premier League winner with Man City finished as a runner-up in the Saudi Pro League last year, as well as coming off second-best in the 2023 King’s Cup final. Laporte has enjoyed international success during this time however, who won Euro 2024 with Spain having played every minute of the knockout rounds. Laporte enjoyed huge success at Manchester City, winning 11 major trophiesGetty The 2023 Champions League winner previously admitted he had made the move to Saudi Arabia for non-footballing reasons. He told AS in January 2024: “To be honest, many of us have also come here not only for football. “Many of us are happy with that, but I am also looking for something beyond that is not the economic part and such. “In terms of quality of life, I expected something different because in the end here you spend three hours a day in the car. “Riyadh is a waste of traffic, of time wasted in the car.”
Aymeric Laporte is set to terminate his £390,000-a-week contract with Al Nassr, talkSPORT understands.
The former Manchester City star, who is believed to be the third-highest paid defender in world football, joined the Saudi Pro League outfit in 2023 for £23.6million.
But it now seems Laporte is prepared to turn his back on his eye-watering earnings, despite having a year left on his current contract.
The Spain international has had a difficult relationship with manager Stefano Pioli.
Laporte’s struggles to see eye-to-eye with his coach have seen him struggling for game time recently.
He was dropped to the bench for Al Nassr’s Asian Champions League semi-final defeat to Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale.
Since then, the 30-year-old has found himself left out of the squad entirely for his side’s league fixtures against Al Ittihad and Al Okhdood.
As a result, the Spanish outlet claim he is now expected to leave the club in the coming days, despite his current deal running until 2026.
And Laporte is expected to have plenty of options as he prepares to navigate life as a free agent.
Prior to his Man City exit, Real Madrid were linked with a move for the French-born player, who are believed to be in the market for a new defender.
Marseille have also been tipped to snap up Laporte, with the French side recently securing Champions League qualification.
However, he will likely have to accept a pay cut should he return to Europe, with only Al Hilal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk earning more as defenders.
Former Chelsea man Koulibaly earns £553,225-per-week in the Saudi Pro League, while Van Dijk recently signed a £400,000-per-week deal at Anfield.
Laporte has been among a number of high-profile names at Al Nassr during his time in the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Jhon Duran and Marcelo Brozovic are all currently plying their trade with the Riyadh outfit.
Despite being joined by an array of talent, Laporte has failed to lift a single piece of silverware in nearly two years at the club.
The five-time Premier League winner with Man City finished as a runner-up in the Saudi Pro League last year, as well as coming off second-best in the 2023 King’s Cup final.
Laporte has enjoyed international success during this time however, who won Euro 2024 with Spain having played every minute of the knockout rounds.
The 2023 Champions League winner previously admitted he had made the move to Saudi Arabia for non-footballing reasons.
He told AS in January 2024: “To be honest, many of us have also come here not only for football.
“Many of us are happy with that, but I am also looking for something beyond that is not the economic part and such.
“In terms of quality of life, I expected something different because in the end here you spend three hours a day in the car.
“Riyadh is a waste of traffic, of time wasted in the car.”
