Benat Etxebarria has reflected this week on the ‘dream’ that it was to debut with Athletic Bilbao, the team this week linked with him again.
The creative midfielder developed at Athletic and debuted in the first team, but left in 2009 to join Real Betis after struggling for playing opportunities.
However, on from reports this week linking the Basques with an €8m bid for the 26-year-old, he has revealed that he holds no grudges against them for his previous spell at San Mames.
“To play for Athletic was my dream since childhood, it was always there, then after 10 years at Lezama I got my debut,” Benat enthused to ETB-1 this week.
“I had achieved my first dream to be a footballer, but it was not possible at Athletic, so I ended up here [at Betis].
“Will I be going back to Athletic? I do not know, we will have to see about that.
“They are not my team at the moment, for now I have a contract here, with a clause, it is between teams to agree, and then…
“I have one year left on my contract and I am very happy in Betis. I want to finish the season well with Betis.
“Money within the team is not so good, but I’m not thinking about these things, I’m comfortable here and I have no problems in staying for another year.”
