Julen Agirrezabala’s season in the Copa del Rey is being superb, being one of the culprits that the team is in the grand final
Bilbao is celebrating. Contrary to what happened last Tuesday in San Sebastián, Ernesto Valverde’s men did manage to make the factor of playing the return leg at home count. and they scored three goals against Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid. A match that, in addition to the goals from Guruzeta, Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams, was marked by another superb display by Julen Agirrezabala with Athletic.
The young goalkeeper, who has been a substitute in LaLiga all season, has found his place in the Copa del Rey. Ernesto Valverde fully trusts him, but Unai Simón is immovable at the moment. That is why he has had to settle for being the starter in the cup competition. And until that moment, Julen Agirrezabala has shown a superb performance at Athletic.
Unai Simón will not leave in the summer and will continue to be the starter in LaLiga – (c) Photo: GOL digital
Athletic does not want to lose Agirrezabala
Due to his role as a substitute and his indisputable quality between the sticks, everything seemed to indicate that Julen Agirrezabala and Athletic would separate their paths. The footballer, at 23 years old, wants to feel important and is aware that he would be a starter for almost any LaLiga team. That is why a logical solution, knowing that Unai Simón will not leave, was to look for a way out in the summer.
But with the contract in force, the decision is not just Julen Agirrezabala’s. Athletic will also have something to say, since the footballer is tied until 2025. And the club’s position is quite clear: they want to continue having two elite goalkeepers next season. A season in which Unai Simón will continue to be the starter in LaLiga.
The club will offer him a contract extension
Being aware that next summer he will enter the last year of his contract, Athletic wants to renew Julen Agirrezabala’s contract. With this renewal they want to link the goalkeeper to Uriarte’s champion project, which other players such as Adu Ares, Nico Williams or Iñaki Williams, among some others, have already joined.
Now we just have to wait to see what the player’s position is, who will receive important calls next summer. But it remains to be seen if Julen Agirrezabala opts to leave Athletic, where despite not being a starter he feels very loved and appreciated. However, it will not be until the end of the season when we will know how the future of the footballer born in San Sebastián is resolved.