Athletic seek to persuade Yuri to agree one-year renewal | OneFootball

Athletic are trying to keep Yuri for another year, with his deal up in June and his future unclear.

According to as.com, director of football Mikel González said the 36-year-old still competes at a very high level, is vital, and they would like him to continue. He added the club want to avoid losing another key defender after De Marcos in 2025.

Yuri has admitted he is weighing up stepping aside, saying he is 36, thinking about other things, and not stressed. González also said Lekue, in the same contract position, is very important, possibly with fewer minutes but always available, versatile across both full-back roles and centre-back, and one of the captains.

Attention has also turned to Ernesto Valverde’s future after this third spell, which takes him to 10 years at San Mamés. Iñigo Pérez, today’s rival, and Iraola are viewed as options, but González avoided the subject, praising Valverde’s four-year work, calling it hard to repeat, and saying they are delighted with him.

On the Vallecas pitch, González said Rayo have suffered but the surface is fine and, even if not, Athletic must adapt. He also declined to look ahead to Wednesday in Donostia, noting recent wins and a game-by-game focus as they try to overturn the 0-1 from the Copa semi-final first leg at San Mamés.

Source: as.com