Unai Núñez goes from Bergamo visitor to Mestalla rival in Copa | OneFootball

Unai Núñez’s journey has turned quickly. Two weeks after visiting Athletic’s camp in Bergamo, and two days after sealing a loan to Valencia, the Portugalete-born centre-back is in line to face his boyhood club in the Copa at Mestalla.

According to as.com, Núñez dropped into Athletic’s hotel on the eve of their Atalanta tie, the 115 kilometres from Verona making it an easy trip, and told acquaintances he hoped to return to Spain in January. His Valencia move was finalised two days later.

He could even start against Athletic after about a week and a half under Carlos Corberán. Fatigue forced Copete off against Betis, and Eray Cömert has been managing minor discomfort after starting the last two matches, situations that could hand Núñez his first Valencia minutes.

Núñez joined Celta in 2024 for seven million and was considered to stay with Athletic last summer after returning to San Mamés on loan. That season he made 15 appearances, 10 in the league, four in the Europa League and one in the Copa.

Ernesto Valverde was open to keeping him alongside Vivian, Paredes and Yeray, with his performances and reintegration rated positively. Athletic then prioritised a move to bring back Laporte, an operation only concluded in September due to bureaucracy. Núñez returned to Celta, where he is contracted until 2027, and talks began with Hellas Verona over a loan.

Source: as.com