Athletic Bilbao were blocked from signing defender Aymeric Laporte by world football governing body FIFA, the Spanish club said Wednesday.
The Basque side said they tried to sign him on September 1 from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, but it could not be completed for external factors beyond Athletics control, with Spanish media saying the paperwork was submitted late.
The Spanish federation asked FIFA to grant an exception for Laportes move but Athletic said they were informed on Wednesday FIFA had denied the request.