In the absence of a week until the closing of the summer transfer market, Athletic continues without definitively closing its squad
waiting for possible but very complicated incorporations on the one hand and to specify an exit on the other. The proper names are those that are in both cases. Javi Martínez and Berenguer are part of the first section and Iago Herrerín and Larra in the second.
As of yesterday, the rojiblanca entity maintained that there was nothing at all, neither regarding the Navarrese midfielder of Bayern nor the Navarrese interior of Torino. Javi Martínez, in fact, was called up by his current club for the league duel last Sunday against Hoffenheim, although he did not play. Berenguer, on the other hand, started with his team, but was replaced in the 63rd minute.
Neither of the two players in question has publicly shown their predisposition to end up landing in Bilbao. Another factor to take into account for their possible arrival lies in the money that their respective clubs would require to transfer them as they themselves to change of scene. What is clear, especially with regard to Javi Martínez, is that Athletic would welcome his return to Lezama. There would be no problem at that level, in other words, despite the fact that his departure from the Bilbao club was as it was.
The rojiblanca entity, in any case, is also very clear that Sevilla has paid 1.5 million euros for Rakitic, a 32-year-old footballer, and that current market conditions are not similar to those of the times before the coronavirus pandemic. From Germany, by the way, they now point out that if Bayern does not find another center half before the market closes, the Navarrese will fulfill the year of his contract that remains..
The Bilbao club, on the other hand, is also waiting to finalize the situation of Iago Herrerín and Gaizka Larrazabal. In Lezama no offer has been received for the rojiblanco goalkeeper. There is also no formal record of the interest of any club in taking over their services. The goalkeeper, yes, has made it clear publicly that he wants to change of scene, although he still has one year left on his contract.
The extreme loiutarra, on the other hand, has sounded in the orbit of some First clubCuriously, the next two league rivals of Athletic, and several of Second. Athletic's idea is to let him leave, but with a buyback option. The summer market is still open.