Why Athletic Bilbao’s new transfer strategy could be bad news for the likes of Premier League trio Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea

Why Athletic Bilbao’s new transfer strategy could be bad news for the likes of Premier League trio Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea
Athletic Club have just extended the contracts of Mikel Balenziaga and Oscar De Marcos until 2021, and if youre a Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea or Bayern fan, you should be sitting up and paying attention. Or a fan of any European powerhouse, for that matter.One player is a 30-year-old left-back, the other a 29-year-old right-back, and neither looked likely to go elsewhere any time soon. So why is their extended stay in the Basque city of any significance? Its a reasonable question to ask. The answer can be found in the key detail of the deals they inked.5

Oscar De Marcos is one of a number of Athletic players who excluded a buyout clause in their new contract

The important point is that both chose to exclude a buyout clause from their contracts. Its the third time in less than a month an Athletic player has chosen to do so, following on from Iker Muniain, who extended his contract until 2024 in late November and eliminated the buyout option when doing so.For the last decade, the buyout clause has been the method used by Europes powerhouses to poach Athletics best players, much to the annoyance of their fans. The Basque-only policy at the La Liga side means a large part of their survival at the elite level relies on having a remarkably high success rate at taking footballers not quite considered strong enough for the big boys and turning them into the real deal.5

Kepa Arrizabalaga became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when Chelsea paid his 71.6m release clause in the summer

But the omnipresence of buyout clauses means that quite often their hard work nurturing players into top class superstars benefits sides in the Premier League, Bundesliga or elsewhere before Athletic can reap the rewards.Athletic dont negotiate, but regardless, Manchester City were able to snap up Aymeric Laporte, Manchester United got Ander Herrera, Chelsea took Kepa and Bayern brought Javi Martinez to the Allianz. In all four cases, the Basque club could not stop them leaving, whether they wished to or not, because the buying clubs deposited fees with the Spanish football authorities that automatically released the players from their deals the clauses in their contracts made that route possible.5

Man City paid a club record 57m for Laporte in January 2018

Without the presence of those clauses, some of the transfers would have been far more expensive. Some may never have happened at all, with big consequences: Martinez for example was key in Bayerns treble under Jupp Heynckes. Laporte will be vital if Manchester City are finally going to succeed in sealing a Champions League title. You get the idea.Thats in the past and the past cannot be changed, but the future can be. If the three recent contract renewals are the sign of a broader change in strategy from Athletic, the knock-on effect will be to the detriment of bigger sides. Comments from Balenziaga upon his renewal suggest others may be considering following the lead: Iker (Munian) has opened up a positive path for the club and for the players. Considering Athletics philosophy, it could be a good way forward in the future.5

Iker Muniain extended his contract in November and eliminated the buyout option when doing so

The real test will be if younger, more appetising players in the market decide to follow the lead of Balenziaga, De Marcos and Muniain. If someone like 24-year-old forward Iaki Williams were to sign a new buyout clause-free deal, then it would really be time to sit up and pay attention. His most recent extension from January 2018 included a record 80m release clause, showing what Athletic think he is worth.Another development the European powerhouses will be keeping an eye on is the upcoming presidential elections at Athletic. The three recent extensions were signed under Josu Urrutia, who leaves his job this month and will not stand for re-election. Will his successor continue down the same road?5

Williams extended his contract in January, but it includes a record 80m release clause

One of the two men competing to take his place, Alberto Uribe-Echevarria, has suggested he would follow Urrutias change of direction, noting that contracts without buyout clauses are a huge advantage and mean that de facto, its practically impossible for an exodus of players to happen.Its a very interesting route that should be developed, he added.The irony is that even if Athletic do move towards eliminating the buyout option from the deals they sign their players to, they will be hoping other clubs in La Liga dont follow suit. The Basque giants are in solid financial condition, and pay excellent salaries to their best players that are closer to the level of teams who make regular European appearances like Valencia or Sevilla, than the other mid-table teams they generally compete with. That makes the San Mams a very attractive option for players who fit the Basque-only conditions and are looking for a move up the pay ladder. Such was the case with Iigo Martnez, who Athletic brought in from arch rivals Real Sociedad to replace Laporte last January. How did they make it happen? By paying his buyout clause, of course.

---

TOP STORY: Man City and United scrap for Mbappe. Manchester City and Manchester United are set to renew their rivalry in the transfer market as they go head to head to sign Kylian Mbappe. The 19
Transfer Window Gossip Round-Up - Read Premier League

---

Paul Pogba continued to lead Manchester United's stunning resurgence under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a masterclass during the 4-1 victory over Bournemouth. The French midfielder capitalised on a moment of genius from Marcus Rashford before heading home from Ander Herrera's wicked cross to complete his second brace in as many games.
Live Commentary: Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester United - as it

---

Nantes have made a claim to FIFA over Cardiff City's refusal to pay the first instalment of the £15million transfer fee spent on Emiliano Sala. Sala died in a plane crash over the English Channel days after becoming the Bluebirds' record signing, and the Premier League side had to pay the first instalment of the fee on Wednesday.
Emiliano Sala: Nantes make claim to FIFA over Cardiff City's

---

Champions League glory for Tottenham could spark a trophy spree, according to former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. Mourinho - a two-time winner in the competition - feels that success
Tottenham news: Champions League success could lead to trophy

---

Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nearing injury comebacks, says Jurgen Klopp. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is slowly stepping up his injury comeback, while Liverpool hope to have Joe Gomez back
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp cools pressure on Alex Oxlade

---

Manchester United Transfer News - Latest news on Metro UK but offers star new deal. Good news for Mata. Liverpool & Spurs enter transfer race to sign Man Utd target Bruno Fernandes.
NewsNow: Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours news

---

Mesut Ozil has returned to the starting line-up for Arsenal and will captain the side.. The Gunners welcome Burnley to the Emirates for the early Premier League game, with Sead Kolasinac also back.
Mesut Ozil & the five Arsenal players Unai Emery should sell
sportstoft.com/soccer/mesut-ozil-the-five-arsenal-players-unai-emery-should-sell-after-chelsea-loss/
Mesut Ozil & the five Arsenal players Unai Emery should sell after Chelsea loss 05/30/2019 Soccer Not even the undisputed king of the Europa League, Unai Emery, could inspire Arsenal to a Champions League-clinching success against Chelsea during a bizarre final played out in Baku's eerily soulless Olympic Stadium.

---

Paul Scholes (/ s k oʊ l z / SKOHLZ; born 16 November 1974) is an English football coach and former player. He spent his entire professional playing career with Manchester United, for whom he scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances between 1993 and 2013.
Top sports stars like Ryan Giggs, Usain Bolt, Andy Murray and

---

Confirmed Liverpool team news vs Burnley - Adam Lallana starts with Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri on bench. Jurgen Klopp has named his starting eleven and substitutes for Liverpool vs Burnley at
Confirmed Liverpool team vs Wolves - Jurgen Klopp recalls

---

West Ham United winger Felipe Anderson was admitted that he hopes to emulate club legend Paolo Di Canio and become a 'star' for the Hammers. Anderson, 25, has settled well at the London Stadium
Felipe Anderson Names the Hammers Legend He Hopes to Emulate

---

Arsenal want Edu, who spent four years at Highbury, to become the club's Technical Director and it was widely reported yesterday that he will take up the role when this summer's Copa America ends. The CBF statement reads: "Co-ordinator Edu Gaspar has a current contract with the CBF until the end of the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

---

Sol Campbell speaks to the press after Macclesfield's 2-0 win over Crawley in League Two. Sol Campbell has promised to 'work his socks off' at Macclesfield Town FC after taking charge of The
Macclesfield Town 2-0 Crawley Town: Sol Campbell gets first

---

Tottenham new stadium latest: Paul Gascoigne wants to be part of legends match to be played at £1billion arena by Gary Mabbutt, all these tweets about a LEGENDS game at spurs new stadium
Paul Gascoigne exclusive: Gazza confirms he WILL play in

---

Lincoln City were crowned champions of League Two after a goalless draw with visitors Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday. Mansfield's defeat at Oldham meant a point was enough to secure the Imps their first football league divisional title since Graham Taylor led them to a record-breaking season in 1975/76.
Imps win League Two title after goalless draw

---