Athletic Bilbao look resigned to losing another first-team player this summer on a free transfer, as they withdraw a contract offer for Fernando Amorebieta.
The Venezuelan has been in discussions with the club over a new five-year deal since last summer, but in reportedly pushing for higher wages, stalled negotiations.
The club were reported earlier this month as having handed the player an ultimatum to sign a new €1.8m-a-season deal by a set deadline or see it removed.
This stance has now been confirmed as the case, with club President Josu Urrutia telling a Press conference today that the club’s offer has been withdrawn.
“From my last appearance to now there have been some changes,” explained Urrutia, who already knows that Fernando Llorente is leaving on a free this summer for Juventus.
“I said at that time that the club had put forward a proposal with an indefinite time limit to it. After several conversations with the representatives of Amorebieta and seeing that it was not being accepted, Athletic withdrew the proposal.
“The club had made an offer for the player which showed that he was valued, he had the time to decide and the club have now decided, having seen that the proposal was not being accepted and withdrawn it.
“Will Amorebieta be here next season? At this moment, no. Amorebieta has no contract offer from Athletic.”
Despite his disappointment with the 27-year-old, Urrutia confirmed that the centre-back and Llorente will remain in Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team plans until the end of the season.
“They are two major players at a sporting level, even if they do not intend to stay. The trainer can use them if they are seen as better than their teammates.
“Marcelo chooses the players who are doing well. We try to have a team that is as competitive as possible.”
