“Your Demands Are Not Feasible” – Unai Emery Fires Back at Aymeric Laporte’s Manager Amid Transfer Standoff
"Your Demands Are Not Feasible" – Unai Emery Fires Back at Aymeric Laporte's Manager Amid Transfer Standoff
“Your Demands Are Not Feasible” – Unai Emery Fires Back at Aymeric Laporte’s Manager Amid Transfer Standoff
In what has become one of the more contentious transfer sagas of the summer, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has firmly responded to recent comments made by the representative of Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte, who has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing negotiations. Emery, never one to shy away from addressing critical matters directly, made his stance clear during a press briefing on Monday, stating categorically: “Your demands are not feasible.”
This sharp retort was directed at Laporte’s agent, who has allegedly made a series of demanding financial and sporting requests on behalf of his client as talks over a potential move to Villa Park progressed. Laporte, currently plying his trade at Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr after a high-profile switch from Manchester City last summer, is believed to be eager for a return to top-tier European football—particularly with UEFA Champions League exposure on offer.
Aymeric Laporte, once a central figure in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad, saw his influence wane over the last two seasons before his move to Al Nassr in 2023. The move to the Middle East was seen as a fresh chapter for the Basque-born Spanish international, yet reports suggest he has grown disillusioned with the level of competition and visibility in the Saudi Pro League.
With Aston Villa securing a UEFA Champions League spot for the 2025/26 season under Unai Emery’s revitalized leadership, the Midlands club has emerged as an attractive destination for a host of European stars looking to return to elite competition. Laporte’s experience, leadership, and ball-playing abilities fit the profile Emery is seeking to add to his backline as Villa prepares for its first appearance in Europe’s premier competition since the early 1980s.However, things have taken a sour turn over the past week.
Sources close to the negotiations have revealed that Laporte’s agent has placed a string of steep demands on the table—ranging from a significant wage package that would place the defender among Villa’s top earners, to guaranteed starting appearances and even clauses related to potential release terms. These requests have not only slowed negotiations but have reportedly frustrated the Villa hierarchy, who are trying to build a sustainable financial structure even as the club ascends into Europe.
According to reports from Spanish sports daily Marca, the agent is also said to have requested a substantial signing-on bonus and a personal suite of amenities for Laporte’s family, including private schooling and housing in Birmingham’s affluent Edgbaston district.
Speaking to reporters following a training session at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground, Emery did not mince words.
> “We respect Aymeric as a player and what he has achieved, but football is not only about names and CVs—it is also about commitment, team dynamics, and respecting the project. What is being asked is not feasible for us as a club. We have ambitions, yes, but we also have principles and a structure that we must adhere to,” Emery said.
> “We want players who want to be here for the right reasons. If someone chooses a club only because of economic factors or personal luxuries, it is not the right path for us.”
Emery’s blunt assessment has been lauded by many Villa supporters, who appreciate the manager’s integrity and long-term vision. It also serves as a clear message to prospective signings: while Aston Villa is growing in stature and ambition, it will not mortgage its future for short-term gains or vanity signings.
In the hours following Emery’s statement, Laporte’s agent, Carlos Martinez, issued a response via social media, stating:
> “Our demands reflect the value and experience Aymeric brings to any squad. He is a proven winner and a consummate professional. We are surprised by the comments made and regret that private negotiations have been made public.”
Martinez also hinted that several other European clubs were in the race for Laporte’s signature, including reportedly Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Fenerbahçe.
What’s Next for Laporte and Villa?
Despite the breakdown in negotiations, sources suggest the door is not entirely closed. Laporte is said to be personally intrigued by the opportunity to play under Emery, whose reputation for tactical discipline and European success remains intact. But unless there is a compromise on the terms, the move appears to be on hold, if not altogether off the table.
Villa, meanwhile, continue to assess other defensive options. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Sevilla’s Loïc Badé have both been linked as alternative targets, while the club is also believed to be considering promoting academy prospect Josh Feeney to a more prominent role.
The dispute between Unai Emery and Aymeric Laporte’s camp underscores the growing tensions between player ambition and club sustainability in modern football. As Aston Villa prepares for a season among Europe’s elite, it is clear that Emery is determined to keep the squad united, motivated, and free from external pressures.
Whether Laporte eventually lowers his demands or takes his talents elsewhere remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Aston Villa under Unai Emery is a club with a plan, and not even marquee names will derail it.
