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.

---

Six watch and act warnings remain in place after cooler conditions and rain yesterday but the state still faces high to very high fire danger. The Bunyip blaze has burned through more than 14,500ha, Licola more than 16,500ha and Dargo more than 12,200ha.
Richard Cawley's Wembley verdict: Lee Bowyer has done a

---

Maurizio Sarri fears for the safety of his Chelsea players after branding Dynamo Kiev's pitch "dangerous" and a "disaster." Sarri's squad trained at Kiev's Olympic Stadium on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg. Maurizio Sarri was not impress with the conditions
Jack Walker treble helps Rhinos rout Red Devils - SportsAlert
sportsalert.org/2019/02/17/jack-walker-treble-helps-rhinos-rout-red-devils/
The Red Devils were unchanged from the side that beat London Broncos 24-0, while Leeds made two changes from the defeat at Wigan as Cameron Smith and Brad Singleton came into the squad. Salford opened the scoring after just seven minutes when hooker Lussick darted over from dummy half and Sio converted.
ADRIAN DURHAM: How Harry saved Spurs, Bale and AVB's

---

Jurgen Klopp could potentially have Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita back from injury for next month's Champions League final against Spurs. The summer signing has been out with a groin injury since the 3-0 defeat against Barcelona in the semi-final first leg at the start of the month.
Liverpool Reds
AD

---

Manchester United can win Champions League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer What's the story? Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann believes the Red Devils are playing some excellent football under the
Manchester United could win Champions League according to

---

With Sarri now looking to head back to Italy shortly to take on the job at Juventus, it has put question marks over the future of Jorginho at the club. The Italian international was the manager's first signing at Chelsea but he came in for a lot of criticism for his performances and was even booed at times over the course of the season.

---

A young Chelsea fan has been found guilty of homophobic chants during the Blues 1-2 win Brighton last month, and as a consequence, the youngster has been banned from football for 3 years from the date of the sentence.
Chelsea fan banned for three years for homophobic abuse

---

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez Reveals Why He Is Jealous of Liverpool SI.com - Published 3 hours ago: Sergio Ramos next club odds: Real Madrid captain linked to Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain Sergio Ramos is set to quit Real Madrid this summer after falling out with Florentino Perez.
Will Eden Hazard join Real Madrid from Chelsea?

---

Chelsea are eyeing up a January move for AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain, according to reports. The Blues were interested in signing the Argentine during the summer, but talks with his then club
Which striker should Chelsea sign in the January transfer

---

Netherlands vs England: How Three Lions could line-up in UEFA Nations League semi-final, including Chelsea star England face the Netherlands on Thursday in a bid to make the UEFA Nations League final. Live commentary for the game from the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques in talkSPORT 6 hours ago Also reported by •BBC News
Netherlands vs England: How Dutch side could line-up in UEFA

---

The verdict on every Premier League club's January 2018 signings one year on Some clubs spent big money this time last year and we have a look back to see if they were a success or a failure By
Every Premier League Club's January 2018 Signings RATED One

---

FIFA's tech 'experiments' drag soccer into the modern age it's imperative that there's a set of standards in place should they choose to do so. a world-renowned former English
Refereeing - ussoccer.com

---

QPR vs Leeds: Steve McClaren defends Matt Ingram after his error, while Marcelo Bielsa admits Whites deserved to lose FA Cup clash It was the first time in 23 years Rangers won an FA Cup third
Steve McClaren defends Matt Ingram after his error in QPR's

---

tamil nadu premier league 2018 live streaming
champions league final live streaming online india
football live streaming hotstar
champions league live stream kostenlos heute zdf
champions league live streaming facebook
champions league live stream kostenlos heute
football live streaming hd
barclays premier league live streaming sky sports free
live streaming premier league liverpool vs burnley
premier league live stream zorro
best live streaming premier league
champions league live streaming quora
champions league quarter final draw live streaming
paok aek basket champions league live streaming
mumbai premier league live streaming channels
tamil nadu premier league 2018 live match streaming
football live streaming app download
bein sports premier league live streaming
big boss t20 premier league live streaming
premier league live stream chelsea crystal palace
isl premier league live streaming free
roma vs liverpool champions league live streaming
manchester city vs liverpool champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming australia
champions league live stream japan
live uefa champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming bt sport
live football streaming juventus vs real madrid
madhya premier league live streaming
scottish premier league live streaming free
reddit premier league live streaming
kolkata premier league live streaming
champions league live streaming free
caf champions league live streaming
football live streaming isl
free english premier league live streaming - live football online
karachi premier league live streaming
australia brisbane premier league live streaming
premier league live streaming india free
premier league live stream acestream
football live streaming star sports
champions league knockout stage draw live streaming
football live streaming brazil vs belgium
uefa champions league real madrid vs psg live streaming
international champions league live streaming
match champions league live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming app
uefa champions league live streaming ten sports
live streaming of champions league final 2018
premier league live stream manchester united
real madrid vs juventus champions league live streaming free
premier league live stream vpn
liverpool psg champions league live streaming
english premier league live streaming liverpool
youtube champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming ronaldo
epl live streaming hotstar
champions league live stream goal
aek paok champions league live streaming
premier league live streaming ronaldo 7
champions league live streaming sports
champions league live streaming india channels
football live streaming manchester city
champions league live stream singapore
football live streaming english premier league
where to watch champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming channel
liverpool vs man city champions league live streaming
hong kong premier league live streaming
football live streaming in hd
football live streaming mama
uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming in india
uefa champions league live streaming uae
uefa champions league live streaming reddit
premier league live streaming reddit
south africa premier league live streaming
afghanistan premier league live streaming channel name
football live streaming el clasico
live streaming of premier league football
live premier league live streaming
real madrid champions league live streaming free
uefa champions league live online hd tv streaming free links
bangladesh premier league live streaming hotstar
football live streaming sites twitter
champions league live streaming free india
champions league live streaming app
premier league live stream singapore
final champions league live streaming
tamil nadu premier league live streaming
premier league live streaming xfinity
#UCL #Ajax #navas #futbol #news #433 #zinedinezidane #Chelsea #deporte #beinsportsusa #Cr7 #goals #ucl #bundesliga #Cristiano #espndeportes #Like4Like #Messi #degea #RealMadrid #ChampionsLeague #mufc #Ronaldo #manutd #liverpool #england #united #fifa #Neymar #manchesterunited #Ronaldo #Football #manchestercity #amsterdam #courtois #Mancity #ajax #pogba #ronaldo #Futbol #halamadrid #beinsports #likeforlikes #oshawa #univisiondeportes #soccer #foxdeportes #futbolmexicano #laliga #likes4likes #manchester #Rooney #telemundodeportes #likeforlike #Barcelona #championsleague #pickering #hakimziyech #meme #transfers #Manchesterunited #premierleague #ajaxamsterdam #toronto