Valverde blocks Urko Izeta exit amid Segunda interest and Cultural Leonesa’s €500,000 push | OneFootball

Ernesto Valverde drew a hard line on Urko Izeta’s future after Athletic’s 3-4 Copa round of 16 scare at Cultural Leonesa, stressing the striker remains in his plans.

According to as.com, Izeta has a market in Segunda, with Alavés monitoring and Cultural Leonesa prepared to spend 500,000 euros for the second half of the season. Ibaigane has set a 2 million euro valuation.

Valverde, more forthright than in recent weeks, said the club count on Izeta and that their market is very limited. He cited a long-term injury to fellow forward Sannadi and lamented being unable to register him in the Champions League because Laporte was not with them.

With 15 days left in the winter window, Izeta has largely been on the fringes under Valverde. He hit the post against Ourense and added urgency in extra time last night when the contest had become difficult.

The head coach’s stance reads as a clear intent to keep the forward this month, even amid interest.

Source: as.com