Position: 5th – 68 points Grade: A+ Record: 19-11-8 Goals Scored: 61 Goals Conceded: 37 Top Scorer: Gorka Guruzeta – 16 Top Assister: Nico Williams – 17 Athletic Club started off well, and with hopes of Europe, but during their 1-1 draw with Girona in November, it became clear they had a proper team.
With Hansi Flick replacing Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona manager, the situation of many first team players has now changed. The biggest example of this is Sergi Roberto, who is unlikely to receive a new contract before his current deal ends on the 30th of June.
Barcelona star Pedri scored twice as Spain completed their final Euro 2024 warm up test. The midfielder opened his account for Spain at senior level, and then doubled his tally, as La Roja won 5-1 against Northern Ireland in Mallorca.
In recent weeks, Athletic Club have been linked with a sensational swoop for former defender Aymeric Laporte, who was at San Mames until 2018, at which point he left for Manchester City.
Barcelona need to sell this summer in order to give themselves the best possible chance of returning to La Liga’s 1:1 rule, which would allow signings to be made without financial restrictions.
Barcelona are mired in uncertainty regarding their finances this summer, although almost all reporting agrees that the Blaugrana need some serious income in order to register players for next season.
Barcelona are determined to sign a new left winger this summer, and sporting director Deco is leading the search for the ideal candidate. Nico Williams has long been on the Catalan giants’ watchlist, but for now at least, he does not appear to be the preferred candidate, which is good news for Athletic Club.
Barcelona have highlighted the left-wing position as one of the key areas to strengthen this summer. However their ability to do so is in doubt, and while there are no shortage of players they like, finding a way to bring them to the club is another matter.
Veteran midfielder Ander Herrera has come to a decision on his future, and will remain in Bilbao next season. The 34-year-old will sign a renewal with Athletic Club to extend his contract for a further year.
Hansi Flick will begin work as Barcelona manager in the next week or so, and one of his first jobs will be to identify transfer targets for the upcoming summer window, which opens in July.
Barcelona beat the likes of Chelsea to Mikayil Faye‘s signature last summer, bringing him in for €1.5m from NK Kustosija in Croatia, but it looks like they will face interest in the 19-year-old again.
Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala has signed a new deal. Agirrezabala has penned a contract to 2027. "It was a tremendous joy to continue at the club which has given him so much," he said.
Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian has signed a new contract. Vivian has penned a deal to 2032. Athletic chief Mikel Gonzlez said: "He is a player in continuous evolution, with a winning mentality and his ambition on a daily basis has made him one of the best centre-backs at the moment.
The summer transfer window does not open in Spain for another month, but Athletic Club have already been making some very exciting moves. Alvaro Djalo will be arriving from Braga, while multiple of their existing players have committed their futures to the Bilbao-based club – the latest to do so is defender Dani Vivian.
Last week, Athletic Club wrapped up a new five-year deal with starting goalkeeper Unai Simon, who will stay on at San Mames until 2029. They have now reached an agreement to tie down his understudy’s future.
In the coming weeks, Barcelona will need to make some tough decisions in the squad planning for next season. The club’s ongoing financial woes makes it essential for a significant number of players to be moved on, and perhaps unsurprisingly, one area that will be affected is in central defence.
Athletic Club have bid farewell to two legends of Los Leones at the end of the season in Raul Garcia and Iker Muniain. The former has retired, but Muniain, at just 31 years of age, is still looking for a new club.
Arsenal remain keen on Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams. Football.London says the Gunners are weighing up meeting Willams' buyout clause this summer.
The fundamental questions that will fill the sports papers in Barcelona for the coming weeks is how Hansi Flick’s arrival could change the futures of various players in the Blaugrana squad.
Barcelona are on the verge of appointing Hansi Flick as their new manager to replace Xavi Hernandez, and with sales likely on the horizon, it’s not an easy situation to come into.
Barcelona need to make at least sales during the upcoming transfer window if they are to revert back to La Liga’s 1:1 transfer ratio. It appears that they have already identified a potential area that they can look to trim the squad ahead of next season, and that is in central defence.
During Athletic Club’s final match of the 2022-23 season, against Real Madrid, Yuri Berchiche suffered a broken leg after a strong challenge from Dani Carvajal.
It’s been an incredibly disappointing season for Barcelona, with no trophies won across the four competitions entered by Xavi Hernandez’s side. None of their players will have any individual awards to show either, with the last realistic chance having escaped from the grasp of goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde was delighted with their 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano. The result saw Unai Simon win the Zamora Trophy as the best performing goalkeeper of the season.
Since Roman Abramovich acquired Chelsea in 2003, the club has undergone significant transformations in the transfer market. While some acquisitions have brought glory, others have fallen short, leaving a trail of disappointment and financial burden.
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