Latest news with #ErnestoValverde
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletic Club move for Laporte ahead of the new season
Athletic Club have made a verbal offer to Al-Nassr as they push to bring Aymeric Laporte back to Spain, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Spanish side finished fourth in La Liga last season, securing a place in the 2025/26 Champions League. They want to enhance their squad with quality and experience. Athletic have already tied winger Nico Williams, and attention has now shifted to strengthening their defensive options. They have opened talks with Laporte and Al-Nassr. Laporte, who began his senior career at Athletic before joining Manchester City in 2018, is under contract at Al-Nassr until 2026. Laporte open to Bilbao return Laporte will need a pay cut to facilitate a move to Bilbao. His current club will also demand a fee. Despite these challenges, Athletic views him as an important addition. Manager Ernesto Valverde wants to work with players who understand the club's values and culture. The club plans to add experience and leadership to the dressing room, and Laporte ticks both boxes. He is reportedly open to returning to the Basque club, especially with the opportunity to play in the Champions League next season. As preparations for the new campaign continue, Athletic are moving quickly to try and secure the defender's services.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🤨 Waiting game: Agirrezabala starts pre-season with Athletic
Julen Agirrezabala has begun preseason with Athletic Club in Lezama, while Valencia CF continues to work on closing his incorporation on a loan basis. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is part of Ernesto Valverde's dynamic team while the details of an operation that has been in the works for weeks are being finalized. The agreement between the clubs includes a loan with a purchase option, but it has not been formalized yet due to pending details such as the amount of that option or the salary conditions. From Mestalla, confidence is maintained that the negotiation will reach a successful conclusion, as Agirrezabala is a priority to strengthen the goal of the team led by Carlos Corberán. Advertisement In Bilbao, however, they are counting on the goalkeeper until there is official confirmation, and Valverde himself has not publicly ruled out his continuation. The situation should be resolved in the coming days, once Valencia advances in its sports planning with the new CEO, Ron Gourlay, already in charge of key operations. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Rafa Babot - 2023 Getty Images
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🚨 Defence bolstered: Athletic sign Unai Egiluz until 2028
Athletic Club has confirmed today, Wednesday, the renewal of Unai Egiluz, central defender from Durango, who extends his contract until June 2028 after completing a standout season on loan at CD Mirandés. Egiluz, 23, redeemed himself with a solid performance in the Hypermotion League, where he was an undisputed starter and accumulated over 2,300 minutes, standing out in the final stretch of the season and leading the defense in the promotion phase to the First Division. Advertisement His versatility and security have been valued by the club, which is betting on his sporting projection and adaptation to Ernesto Valverde's style, although future decisions will depend on other possible arrivals that could reinforce the defense. With this renewal, Athletic secures one of Lezama's talents and reinforces the idea of incorporating homegrown players into the first team, while keeping the door open to possible loans if they are considered necessary for their sporting growth. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde called as witnesses in Barcelona corruption case
In the background of Spanish football, on the day that it was made public that the board of the Referees Committee had been sacked, rumbles the Negreira case. The corruption probe, in which former CTA Vice-President Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira and Barcelona stand accused of sporting corruption, is moving closer to a trial. The case, which dominated headlines when it first emerged in 2022, has seen the authorities investigate a series of payments made to various companies in which Negreira was involved over a period of 17 years between 2001 and 2018, which total between €7m and €8m. Barcelona have denied any wrongdoing, claiming that Negreira was hired on a consultancy basis. Former Barcelona managers called as witnesses As reported by EFE and quoted by MD, former Barcelona managers Ernesto Valverde and Luis Enrique will called to the stand by the prosecution to testify in the trial. The current Athletic Club coach was in charge between 2017 and 2020, while the Paris Saint-Germain manager was in charge of the Blaugrana for the three seasons before. The prosecution are keen to get testimony on the effectiveness of the refereeing reports that Barcelona received from Negreira. Image via EFE Barcelona President Joan Laporta will also testify Current President Joan Laporta will also be called to the stand. Originally Laporta was under investigation as part of the corruption probe, but has been dropped from the case as his involvement was outwith the statute of limitations. However the prosecution consider that hsi testimony on the motive behind contracting Negreira will be significant to their case. Uncertainty over trial It is still not clear when the case will be brought to trial. The Courts in Barcelona recently granted an extension to the investigation, as they seek statements from some of those involved. That includes former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, who are due to speak with the authorities in September.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🦁 Athletic set for double friendly against Liverpool in pre-season
Athletic Club's preseason is taking shape. And one of the summer's appointments will take place at the beginning of August. The Basque club has confirmed the dispute of two preseason friendlies against Liverpool. And it will be in a unique setting like Anfield. The novelty of these games is that they will be consecutive on the same day. First at 6:00 pm and then at 9:00 pm. Advertisement Two 90-minute duels on the same day that will serve as an unbeatable test for Ernesto Valverde against the current English champion. This will be the second appointment of the current season for the athleticzales. The first preseason test will be against PSV Eindhoven on July 26. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Juan Manuel Serrano Arce - 2025 Getty Images
