25/26 Transfer Review: Athletic Club
The 2025/26 LaLiga season has just begun, and Athletic Club find themselves at a crucial crossroads. The Basque side, known for its unique philosophy of fielding only players native to or trained in the Basque Country, has once again maneuvered cautiously in the transfer market while aiming to remain competitive in Spain's top flight.
Two seasons ago, they ended a 40-year drought by winning the 120th edition of the Copa del Rey against RCD Mallorca—a triumph that reignited belief among fans and restored a sense of pride to San Mamés. Last season, they secured a Champions League qualification after finishing in the 4th position in LaLiga. And this year, after a couple of ambitious signings, they are ready to challenge for silverware again and consolidate their status among Spain's elite.
TWO BIG SIGNINGS AND EVEN A BIGGER SURPRISE.
ATHLETIC CLUB has managed to find a substitute for Oscar de Marcos. After their latest captain, and the second player with more appearances in the history of the club, decided to retire after the 2025/2025 season, ATHLETIC CLUB needed a top right back and, on July 22nd, signed Jesus Areso after paying his 12M euros buy-out clause. A huge deal for the Basque team in terms of money, but a fantastique way to strengthen their defense, even though they were already the best defense in LaLiga 2024/2025.
However, that was not the first signing the ATHLETIC CLUB made during the latest transfer window. On the 23rd of June, the team from Bilbao announced the signing of Robert Navarro. The 23 year old winger finished his contract with RCD Mallorca and ATHLETIC CLUB signed him for free on a five year deal.
On the last day of the transfer window, Fabrizio Romano and his famous Here we Go confirmed that Aymeric Laporte was signing a contract with Athletic Club. Everything looked fine but the deal collapsed due to paperwork issues with Saudi club Al-Nassr. he Basque side expects a ruling from FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber and if the verdict goes against them, Athletic are prepared to bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
So we will need to wait to see how this Laporte situation ends, but if Athletic Club manages to unlock this situation, win the case and handle Laporte´s registration, it could be the best transfer window in Athletic Club´s history.
A STRONG LALIGA START AND THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DREAM
The 2025/26 LaLiga season could hardly have begun better for Athletic Club. Three matches, three wins, and a sense that Ernesto Valverde’s side are ready to push higher up the table than in recent years. The Basques have shown versatility—thriving in an end-to-end battle, grinding through a cagey encounter, and standing tall away from home. The season opener was pure drama. Against Sevilla, Athletic raced into a two-goal lead thanks to Nico Williams’ penalty and Maroan Sannadi’s sharp finish just before the interval. But football at San Mamés is never short of tension—Sevilla clawed their way back through Dodi Lukébakio and Lucien Agoumé, silencing the home crowd. It took a late intervention to swing it back. Robert Navarro (one of the new signings) , fed by the inspired Nico Williams, struck the decisive goal to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory. It wasn’t flawless defending, but it was a statement: Athletic will not crumble under pressure.
A week later, the mood at San Mamés was different—calmer, tighter, more tactical. Rayo Vallecano pressed high, forcing Athletic to stay compact and disciplined. For long spells, it looked like points would be dropped. Then came the breakthrough. Oihan Sancet, one of the team’s creative leaders, drew a foul inside the box and calmly dispatched the resulting penalty in the 66th minute. It wasn’t flashy, but the 1-0 win underlined Athletic’s ability to grind out results.
The third test came on the road, with Real Betis hosting at La Cartuja. Away days in Andalusia are never straightforward, but Athletic imposed themselves with maturity. A stroke of luck broke the deadlock—Marc Bartra’s own goal in the 60th minute. Yet luck favours the brave, and Athletic didn’t sit back. Aitor Paredes powered home a second late on, effectively killing the game. A stoppage-time strike from Cédric Bakambu made for a nervy finish, but Athletic walked away with a deserved 2-1 victory and a third straight win.
In September Athletic Club will also play its first Champions League match in 11 years, against Arsenal in La Catedral.. And after these promising results on the first LaLiga matches the Basque side and its fans are willing to dream. It is never easy to win in San Mames and Arsenal will suffer to take the 3 points back to London.
IT'S TIME TO DREAM, ATHLETICZALES!
