Athletic Bilbao – CaughtOffside https://www.caughtoffside.com Football transfer rumours, news and Gossip from the English Premier League and beyond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 09:14:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9 3497552 Chelsea have already found their long-term replacement for Kepa https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/31/chelsea-have-already-found-their-long-term-replacement-for-kepa/ https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/31/chelsea-have-already-found-their-long-term-replacement-for-kepa/#respond Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:36:40 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1557012 It seems fairly clear that Chelsea don’t have the fullest confidence in Robert Sanchez given that strong rumours suggest the Blues are looking elsewhere for their long-term Kepa replacement. It’s believed that Kepa, currently on a season-long loan with Real Madrid, prefers to stay in the Spanish capital rather than move back to west London. […]

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It seems fairly clear that Chelsea don’t have the fullest confidence in Robert Sanchez given that strong rumours suggest the Blues are looking elsewhere for their long-term Kepa replacement.

It’s believed that Kepa, currently on a season-long loan with Real Madrid, prefers to stay in the Spanish capital rather than move back to west London.

Though Sanchez is in situ for the time being, some high profile errors haven’t helped his candidacy in terms of making the number one jersey his own.

To that end, 90Min (h/t Fichajes) suggest that the Blues are running the rule over Athletic Club de Bilbao and Spain number one, Unai Simon.

At this stage it isn’t clear if Athletic would entertain the possibility of losing the custodian, and even if they were open to the possibility, how much it would cost the Blues to prise him from Los Leones.

Not that finances appear to bother owner, Todd Boehly.

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If a deal can be done which still falls within the bounds of Financial Fair Play, and Mauricio Pochettino indicates a willingness to bring the player in, the likelihood is that Boehly and his board will go all out to make it happen.

Any switch isn’t likely to take place until next summer at the earliest, when a permanent deal for Kepa to Real Madrid can be ratified.

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]]> https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/31/chelsea-have-already-found-their-long-term-replacement-for-kepa/feed/ 0 1557012 La Liga speed merchant on Arsenal’s radar but they face competition from Premier League trio https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/25/la-liga-speed-merchant-on-arsenals-radar-but-they-face-competition-from-premier-league-trio/ https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/25/la-liga-speed-merchant-on-arsenals-radar-but-they-face-competition-from-premier-league-trio/#comments Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:03:51 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1556183 It’s not often these days that highly-rated youngsters come onto the transfer market, let alone as a freebie, and that’s likely to be the reason why Arsenal lead a queue of suitors that are keeping a watchful eye on one La Liga star. Nico Williams is the younger brother of Inaki Williams, and he also […]

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It’s not often these days that highly-rated youngsters come onto the transfer market, let alone as a freebie, and that’s likely to be the reason why Arsenal lead a queue of suitors that are keeping a watchful eye on one La Liga star.

Nico Williams is the younger brother of Inaki Williams, and he also plays for Athletic Club Bilbao at this point.

However, that might not be for much longer.

According to 90Min, the 21-year-old is out of contract next summer and is therefore able to speak with potential new employers from January.

As he has, apparently, not yet shown any willingness to sign a new deal with the San Mames outfit, the club could be forced to cash in on him during January or risk losing him for nothing.

He doesn’t appear to have any shortage of suitors either.

Arsenal are joined by Premier League rivals Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa, the last of whom apparently made bids for him during the summer.

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Away from the English top-flight, the outlet also credit Juventus and Bayern Munich with an interest.

Given how well he has progressed through the ranks in Bilbao the club will surely be loathe to lose him, however, the situation may already be out of their hands.

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]]> https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/25/la-liga-speed-merchant-on-arsenals-radar-but-they-face-competition-from-premier-league-trio/feed/ 1 1556183 Video: Late Spain goals down Scotland after controversial McTominay decision https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/12/video-late-spain-goals-down-scotland-after-controversial-mctominay-decision/ Thu, 12 Oct 2023 21:20:03 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1554473 Spain were 2-0 winners over Scotland in their EURO 2024 qualifying match on Thursday night but the match saw a huge controversial decision made.  The Scottish remain top of their group but a win tonight would have confirmed that number one spot. There was a good chance that would have happened if Scott McTominay’s goal […]

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Spain were 2-0 winners over Scotland in their EURO 2024 qualifying match on Thursday night but the match saw a huge controversial decision made. 

The Scottish remain top of their group but a win tonight would have confirmed that number one spot. There was a good chance that would have happened if Scott McTominay’s goal had stood in the second half but it was controversially ruled out for offside as it rumbles on after the final whistle.

However, Spain went on to win the match thanks to late goals from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet, both of which can be seen below.

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]]> 1554473 Monchi wants to bring exciting attacker with €50m release clause to Villa https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/09/16/monchi-wants-to-bring-exciting-attacker-with-e50m-release-clause-to-villa/ Sat, 16 Sep 2023 21:44:03 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1551053 Aston Villa’s President of football operations Monchi wants to bring La Liga star Nico Williams to the club, according to AS. With his current contract with Athletic Bilbao expiring in the summer of 2024, all eyes are on him. There are a number of clubs interested in signing him including Aston Villa, Liverpool and Barcelona. But […]

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Aston Villa’s President of football operations Monchi wants to bring La Liga star Nico Williams to the club, according to AS.

With his current contract with Athletic Bilbao expiring in the summer of 2024, all eyes are on him. There are a number of clubs interested in signing him including Aston Villa, Liverpool and Barcelona.

But the Spanish club’s president Jon Uriarte has insisted that the club is working hard to convince him to sign a new contract with the club.

Aston Villa were strongly linked with a move for Williams in the summer and as per reports even had a bid rejected for him.

When asked about the player’s contract and his future, Uriarte told Gol TV (via AS):

“Nico, like his family, Iñaki, his mother, are very happy in Bilbao.”

“They love Athletic. They love our project. We are working hard on both sides so that he can stay.”

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The player reportedly has a €50m release clause in his current contract but if Williams does not a sign a new contract, the player will be available on a free and a number of clubs will be waiting like sharks to sign him.

 

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]]> 1551053 Liverpool add La Liga starlet to list of possible Mo Salah replacements https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/09/11/liverpool-add-la-liga-starlet-to-list-of-possible-mo-salah-replacements/ Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:21:05 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1550419 Liverpool are braced for Mo Salah’s departure. Whether Salah, 31, leaves Anfield in January, or at the end of the season, the Reds feel it is just a matter of time before the Egyptian moves on; probably to Saudi Arabia given the Pro League’s desire to sign the Middle East’s most popular player. And according […]

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Liverpool are braced for Mo Salah’s departure.

Whether Salah, 31, leaves Anfield in January, or at the end of the season, the Reds feel it is just a matter of time before the Egyptian moves on; probably to Saudi Arabia given the Pro League’s desire to sign the Middle East’s most popular player.

And according to a recent report from Fichajes, Jurgen Klopp has included Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams on his shortlist of potential successors.

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With his contract set to expire next summer, Williams, 21, is attracting the interest of several top European clubs – not just Liverpool.

Barcelona are thought to be monitoring the winger with Manchester United also intrigued given the uncertainty surrounding both Jadon Sancho and Antony.

Nevertheless, with the 21-year-old on course to become one of Europe’s stand-out attackers, whichever club inevitably lures him from the San Mames Stadium, will need to act fast as interest certainly seems to be mounting given the forward’s impending free agency status.

Since being promoted to Bilbao’s senior first team last year, Williams, who already has nine international caps for Spain under his belt, has directly contributed to 23 goals in 89 games in all competitions.

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]]> 1550419 FIFA suspend Luis Rubiales from all football related activities for 90 days https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/08/26/fifa-suspend-luis-rubiales-from-all-football-related-activities-for-90-days/ Sat, 26 Aug 2023 17:26:20 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1548526 It’s become one of the most unsavoury incidents in women’s football, but FIFA have taken matters into their own hands and suspended Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, from all football duties for 90 days after his conduct in the immediate aftermath of Spain Women’s World Cup final win over England. Seen by TV cameras […]

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It’s become one of the most unsavoury incidents in women’s football, but FIFA have taken matters into their own hands and suspended Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, from all football duties for 90 days after his conduct in the immediate aftermath of Spain Women’s World Cup final win over England.

Seen by TV cameras grabbing his crotch in celebration, Rubiales also gave Spain player, Jenni Hermoso, a strong kiss on the lips whilst hugging her tightly as she collected her winner’s medal.

Though laughed off by the player at the time, she was eventually forced to issue a statement to deny that she had solicited the kiss.

Such conduct should have no place in women’s football, let alone when it comes from high-ranking football officers that should know much, much better.

“FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respect the integrity of all persons and therefore condemns with the utmost vigour any behaviour to the contrary,” a FIFA statement read (h/t ABC News).

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will not provide any further information on these disciplinary proceedings until a final decision has been taken.”

It’s difficult to believe that there’s any coming back from this for Rubiales, given that he really should’ve resigned of his own accord in any event.

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Spain’s women’s team had subsequently refused to play under the president, so this first move by FIFA should be seen in a positive light.

More heads undoubtedly need to roll given that it’s believed there were also problems pre-World Cup between coach Jorge Vilda and many players, detailed by the Daily Mail, who also note that Vilda’s entire backroom team resigned on Saturday over the row.

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]]> 1548526 England’s Lionesses show strong support for Jenni Hermoso after Spain squad strike until Luis Rubiales is removed https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/08/25/englands-lionesses-show-strong-support-for-jenni-hermoso-after-spain-squad-strike-until-luis-rubiales-is-removed/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:36:57 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1548409 Spanish football can consider itself in crisis on Friday night after Jenni Hermoso issued an unequivocal statement regarding the unsolicited kiss she received from Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales. So strongly worded was her statement, that it really has left Rubiales nowhere to go, despite his protestations earlier in the day that he would […]

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Spanish football can consider itself in crisis on Friday night after Jenni Hermoso issued an unequivocal statement regarding the unsolicited kiss she received from Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales.

So strongly worded was her statement, that it really has left Rubiales nowhere to go, despite his protestations earlier in the day that he would not resign after a trial by social media.

The entire Spain Women’s squad, less than a week after becoming World Cup winners, have now gone on strike in support of Hermoso, and the player has made it crystal clear that she did not instigate nor want to be kissed by Rubiales.

Furthermore, the statement speaks of a culture in Spanish women’s football that is manipulative and created by the president himself.

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If that were not enough, the England Lionesses who were conquered by Spain in the final last weekend, have come out in support.

Jess Carter posted the following on her Twitter account, as football’s very own ‘me too’ movement gathers pace and  puts incredible pressure back on Rubiales to do the decent thing:

The incredibly bad publicity around the world for the federation surely can’t be allowed to continue, and if Rubiales insists that he won’t resign, it may well fall upon his bosses to remove him from the position.

It isn’t only this one issue that will need to be resolved now either, because it has opened a can of worms that appears to have long been kept quiet.

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]]> 1548409 Video: Spain’s World Cup winners refuse to play unless Luis Rubiales resigns https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/08/25/video-spains-world-cup-winners-refuse-to-play-unless-luis-rubiales-resigns/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:16:02 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1548377 Things have got much, much worse for Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, on Saturday night. Rubiales has been under fire since the Women’s World Cup final after he was pictured holding his groin in celebration at Spain’s win and then kissed Spain player, Jenni Hermoso, full on the lips as she went up to […]

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Things have got much, much worse for Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, on Saturday night.

Rubiales has been under fire since the Women’s World Cup final after he was pictured holding his groin in celebration at Spain’s win and then kissed Spain player, Jenni Hermoso, full on the lips as she went up to collect her medal.

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His actions have been widely condemned by the football fraternity but he has, so far, refused to resign.

That could all change after news broke that the Spain women’s team have all refused to play until he is relieved of his duties.

Pictures from Sky Sports News

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]]> 1548377 Man City star would be happy to return to old club who plan to go all in https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/07/18/man-city-star-would-be-happy-to-return-to-old-club-who-plan-to-go-all-in/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:50:30 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1544296 Athletic Club are believed to be interested in bringing Aymeric Laporte back to the club and will do everything they can to make it happen. The centre-back left the La Liga side back in 2018 having spent the majority of his career with the Basque club. The Spain international came through Athletic Club’s youth academy […]

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Athletic Club are believed to be interested in bringing Aymeric Laporte back to the club and will do everything they can to make it happen.

The centre-back left the La Liga side back in 2018 having spent the majority of his career with the Basque club. The Spain international came through Athletic Club’s youth academy and went on to play 222 times for the first team.

Five years later, the 29-year-old is considering returning to Spain and according to Relevo, the defender is becoming more convinced of a comeback as the La Liga side are ready to go all out to bring the Man City star back.

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Laporte is not a starter at Man City anymore and has fallen down the pecking order in Pep Guardiola’s plans. That is unlikely to change next season and if the defender wants a key role in a team, a return to Athletic Club would be perfect.

The 29-year-old will leave City having won everything at the club and would join the many stars that seem to be heading for the exit door at the Etihad this summer. It is unclear if Guardiola will replace the centre-back should he leave but that will be seen in time.

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]]> 1544296 Inside Spain: Barcelona and Real Madrid break €100m for teenagers, Spurs to set for La Liga talks https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/07/13/inside-spain-barcelona-and-real-madrid-break-e100m-for-teenagers-spurs-to-set-for-la-liga-talks/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 11:55:35 +0000 https://www.caughtoffside.com/?p=1543740 Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond. Barcelona and Real Madrid are engaged in a constant game of one-upmanship, and Los Blancos came out on top. The two […]

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Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are engaged in a constant game of one-upmanship, and Los Blancos came out on top. The two went to battle of Arda Guler, the 18-year-old Turkish Messi, and Real Madrid have themselves a gem.

The Blaugrana were supposedly confident of a deal last week until an offer from Real Madrid blew them out of the water. Including commissions, the deal could reach €45m for Real Madrid – Barcelona President Joan Laporta saltily claimed they didn’t think it was worth for those figures.

Unfortunately for them, it looks as if he might be. Guler’s magical goal in training is just one of a number of quite sublime touches he has shown in training. It is only training, but for an 18-year-old going into Real Madrid, he has shown remarkable confidence, usurping even Jude Bellingham in the news cycle.

Luckily for Laporta, Barcelona did have something up their sleeve to turn the news cycle. Vitor Roque, ‘The Tiger’, has committed his future to the club until 2031 on a seven-year deal. The initial fee is ‘only’ €30m, but it could rise to €61m if the bonuses are met. Aren’t they struggling to sign players? Roque in theory won’t join until 2024, when they can fit him into their salary limit.

Athletic Club defender Inigo Martinez has joined Barcelona on a free too, and they are now negotiating to sign former Chelsea and Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu from Girona as their Sergio Busquets replacement. None have attracted as much attention as Lionel Messi’s knees, in a photo posted from his new home in Miami.

Meanwhile Kylian Mbappe continues to dominate headlines and talk shows. It’s beginning to feel as if Real Madrid are waiting for Godot, but they will wait until next summer if they have to. Paris Saint-Germain want him out (unless he U-turns and renews his contract), Real Madrid don’t wnat to spend ‘too’ much, and Kylian Mbappe wants to maximise his income. Who blinks first is now a six-week long question.

Meanwhile Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur are negaged in a slightly less interested version of the same thing for Clement Lenglet. Atletico Madrid need to sell to sign now, but if they can see Renan Lodi and Joao Felix leave, then their top target is Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

 

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