Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez have returned to training with Athletic Bilbao’s first team, but are still not being fully involved.
Both Spanish internationals have been attracting attention from foreign European outfits, with Llorente linked with a move to Juventus after refusing to sign a new deal with the Basques and Martinez in the midst of attention from Bayern Munich.
The pair’s respective moves have not progressed in recent days, however. With Italian champions Juve struggling to meet Llorente’s colossal asking price of over €35m and the Germans Bayern mulling over a €40m-plus-tax bid for Martinez.
After missing out of the Basque outfit’s 5-3 defeat at the hands of Real Betis last weekend, both Llorente and Martinez had since been working with fellow castaways David Lopez, Galder Cerrajeria and Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora away from the main group.
However, in training on Friday after the Europa League, Martinez and Llorente were invited back into action on the training turf with the rest of the first-team squad.
The duo also were involved with the main group on Saturday morning’s first session. However, the duo were then not included in the second session, indicative that they are still not being considered for first team duty.
Athletic are currently preparing to face Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon on Monday night.
