Athletic Club Bilbao are pushing on a remarkable deal to land forward Mikel Oyarzabal from Basque rivals Real Sociedad, claim reports.
The 21-year-old is in high demand having netted 14 goals for a struggling La Real side last term and his contract contains a €50m release clause.
Athletic are flush with cash after receiving €80m for the sale of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to Chelsea and are eyeing a deal for the forward, claim multiple reports.
Diario Sport say Los Leones are offering an ultimatum to the player: a ‘juicy contract’ which would stand ‘between five and seven years’ in length.
However, officials at the San Sebastian club are keen to renew his contract in order to ward off interest from Athletic, who poached defender Inigo Martinez in January for €32m.
Another complication is that Oyarzabal does not want to move away from the Anoeta at this stage of his career, given that he has just inherited the No 10 jersey from Xabi Prieto.
Reports have previously suggested the forward will open contract talks with La Real once the transfer window ends following a verbal agreement.
