Athletic Club are preparing for a flood of transfer offers over key star Oihan Sancet in the summer of 2026.
The Basque side have developed a reputation for driving hard bargains in transfer talks – as shown by their determination to keep Nico Williams away from Barcelona – with the Spain international going on to sign a 10-year contract extension.
Their stance will be firm on Sancet with his current contract at the Estadio San Mames running until 2032 in Bilbao as per the club’s policy on tying down key players to lengthy agreements.
The 25-year-old has developed into one of La Liga’s top all-round midfielders in recent years, and he finished as the Spanish top-flight’s leading goal scorer from midfield in 2024/25, with an eye-catching 15 goals as Ernesto Valverde’s team sealed UEFA Champions League qualification.
However, with a release clause set at €80m, reports from transfer experts Fichajes.net have highlighted four Premier League sides that could make a move for him ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Premier League quartet chase Sancet
Since emerging through the club’s heralded youth system into the first team in 2019, Sancet has gone on to make 197 senior appearances for The Lions with 47 goals scored.
Athletic Club will not entertain mid-season offers in January, but Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa could test their resolve in the summer market, with the two North London sides hopeful of offering Champions League football as a lure.
The main stumbling block will relate to finances and UCL qualification once again with Athletic Club not willing to listen to offers below his exit fee and Sancet will not leave to play in the Europa League elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta has already secured two Basque natives at the Emirates Stadium after landing deals for ex-Real Sociedad pair Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi and Sancet’s profile fits what he looks for in a combative midfielder.
The post FOUR Premier League sides chase La Liga stat leader as 2026 transfer option appeared first on Football España.
