Athletic Bilbao will offer new deals to Iker Muniain, Ander Herrera, Ander Iturrapse and Aymeric Laporte.
AS reports that President Josu Urrutia wants to build the club’s future around the quartet and avoid the kind of situation that saw Fernando Llorente join Juventus on a free transfer or Javi Martinez prised away by Bayern Munich.
Muniain is the immediate priority after he asked to postpone talks until the end of the season.
Herrera was close to joining Manchester United in the summer but is willing to speak to the club about renewing his deal. Coach Ernesto Valverde is said to want Herrera tied down more than any other player.
Laporte is understood to be on the radar of a number of other clubs and Athletic want to retain the Frenchman for the long-term, with Laporte having indicated he will stay at San Mames for a lengthy spell.
Iturraspe has also attracted attention, particularly from the Premier League, and has become Athletic’s playmaker. He is also said to be willing to put pen to paper.
