Canales y Gerenabarrena set to bolster Athletic midfield after loan interest rebuffed | OneFootball

Athletic have rebuffed loan offers for Peio Canales and Beñat Gerenabarrena, who will report to Lezama on 6 July for Edin Terzic’s pre-season. According to as.com, approaches came from several Primera clubs, notably Racing, and from Segunda.

The club view them as this summer’s signings to reinforce midfield, supplementing a group that already includes up to four World Cup players. External recruitment at a reasonable price is seen as almost impossible without European income. They did not move for Unai López despite his Rayo contract expiring.

Both are considered highly valued after their seasons at Racing and Castellón, bringing promotion to the top tier and a play-off respectively. Interest has been inevitable, with calls to the Palacio de Ibaigane to check on their status.

Terzic has received excellent reports from their loans and has already outlined what he expects this pre-season as they try to earn his approval within a crowded engine room of up to nine midfielders.

The Biscayan pair offer fresh legs and energy, averaging 12 kilometres per game and carrying deep commitment as academy products. Their chance has arrived through internal promotion and the grounding of their loan experience.

Source: as.com