Rincón presses his claim at Athletic | OneFootball

Hugo Rincón, 23, will report back to Lezama in early July after a season on loan at Girona, intent on finally staking his claim at Athletic. He wants either to stay for good or pursue a permanent move elsewhere, and a third loan is off the table.

As reported by as.com, new head coach Edin Terzic will have the final word after months assessing the club’s nine returning loanees. Ernesto Valverde was undecided last summer until the very last moment.

Rincón impressed at CD Mirandés in Segunda, playing 44 matches and scoring four, including a promotion play-off run, then featured 35 times for Girona in Primera with one goal. For now, he has been told only to take a short break after a hectic end to the season.

Athletic view him as a rising asset, yet also as one of the squad members who could attract a sale given his market standing. His release clause is set at 30 million.

Competition at right-back is fierce, with Areso arriving for 12 million from Osasuna by activating his full clause, and the reliability of Gorosabel. The option to extend Lekue’s contract has been discarded.

Rincón is under contract until June 2028. The club aimed to add two more years before his Girona loan, tried again in March, but his agents chose to wait, so talks are on hold.

He has been courted by several foreign clubs. Mallorca and Alavés wanted him last summer, and Girona sought to sign him before their unexpected relegation.

Source: as.com