Athletic Club continues to work on strengthening its squad for a season that promises to be demanding. Ernesto Valverde has made it clear from the start of pre-season that the defence needs greater solidity. Despite having good elements in the back line, injuries and lack of depth have been recurring problems in the Bilbao squad.
Ernesto Valverde's plan to strengthen the defense
Ernesto Valverde has publicly expressed his need to bring in a reliable centre-back before the transfer window closes. Athletic's defence has had to deal with numerous absences throughout the past campaign, especially due to injuries to key players such as Yeray Álvarez . This situation has forced the coach to look for solutions to cover the defensive gaps and avoid similar problems next season.
For months, one of the names that has been most talked about to reinforce the defence has been Aymeric Laporte, an old acquaintance of the club. However, his signing has been complicated due to his recent adventure in Saudi Arabia, which has put him out of Athletic's financial reach. With Laporte ruled out, the club has had to explore other alternatives to meet Ernesto Valverde's demands.
Unai Núñez's return, an expected operation
After failing to secure the signing of Aymeric Laporte, Athletic have turned their attention to a more realistic option: the return of Unai Núñez . The centre-back, who left on loan to Celta Vigo two years ago, has been one of the most outstanding players in the Galician side. This summer, Celta exercised the purchase option for approximately 8 million euros, securing the player as their property.
Athletic Bilbao are now willing to bring Unai Núñez back, agreeing to cover his entire salary, an operation that would involve a loan of the centre-back from Celta . This move would allow Valverde to reinforce his defence with a player who already knows the club and its philosophy, in addition to having acquired experience and solidity during his time in Vigo.
The impact of Unai Núñez's return
The return of Unai Núñez would be a great reinforcement for an Athletic that seeks to compete in LaLiga and in European competitions. Ernesto Valverde's urgency to reinforce the defence underlines the importance of this signing, which would provide security in the rearguard and depth in a very vulnerable area of the pitch. With the return of Unai Núñez, Athletic could have a more robust defence prepared to face the challenges of the season.