Athletic Club snatches Jesús Areso from Atletico drama in €12m deal
Oct, 19 2025
When Athletic Club announced the signing of 26‑year‑old right‑back Jesús Areso from CA Osasuna on June 18, 2025, the football world breathed a sigh of relief. The deal, worth €12 million, came just days after reports that Atletico Madrid had secured an advanced agreement to trigger Areso’s release clause. The announcement was made from San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, where the club’s hierarchy gathered for a brief press conference.
Background of the transfer saga
The story started in the summer of 2025, when Diego Simeone, the 54‑year‑old Argentine manager of Atletico Madrid, sent a formal offer that flirted with Areso’s €12 million release clause. Mundo Deportivo first reported the bid on June 10, 2025, noting that Osasuna seemed inclined to sell to the capital‑city side because of past friction with Athletic over Basque‑trained talent.
Meanwhile, Areso, born in Pamplona on January 15, 1999, was training separately from Osasuna’s first‑team squad from June 5, 2025, while he weighed his options. On June 12, he received a phone call on the pitch from Atletico representatives – an anecdote documented by the same newspaper – and initially leaned toward Madrid, provided their Argentine right‑back Nahuel Molina departed.
Athletic Club’s final push
From the other side of the Basque coast, Ernesto Valverde, the 60‑year‑old manager of Athletic, had been circling the player for almost a year. Landingpro disclosed on October 15, 2025, that Athletic had maintained a “quiet but persistent” interest since Areso’s youth days with Athletic Bilbao B between 2018 and 2021.
When the deadline loomed, Athletic’s board structured a payment plan that satisfied Osasuna’s insistence on full clause activation. On June 13, 2025, negotiations stalled briefly as Osasuna debated whether to honor the earlier Atletico arrangement. By June 18, the Bilbao side announced that all parties had signed, sealing the transfer.
Reactions from the clubs and the player
In the official statement, Athletic Club said, “Jesús Areso signs for the red‑and‑whites until June 30, 2031.” The tone was unmistakably emotional – Areso himself told reporters he chose Bilbao because “the dream of playing at San Mamés has been with me since my teenage years.”
Atletico Madrid’s camp issued a brief comment, acknowledging the competitive market but reaffirming confidence in their squad’s depth. Simeone, however, hinted that the club would look elsewhere to shore up the right‑back spot, a weakness that plagued them after Molina’s uneven 2024‑25 campaign.
Osasuna’s board, represented by president Javier García, emphasized that the €12 million fee was fully honored and reflected the player’s market value, especially after 127 appearances for the Pamplona side since his 2021 €3 million arrival.
Financial details and contract length
- Transfer fee: €12 million (approximately $14 million USD).
- Contract term: six years, running to June 30, 2031.
- Annual gross salary: €4.5 million – roughly €86,500 per week.
- Ranking: third‑highest earner at Athletic behind Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams.
The numbers mark Athletic’s biggest summer outlay, overtaking the €8 million paid for midfielder Oihan Sancet in 2023. SalaryLeak.com verified the weekly wage, and several insiders say the club will structure bonuses around clean‑sheet counts and La Liga appearances.
Impact on La Liga and upcoming season
For Athletic Club, adding Areso solidifies a defense that helped them finish fourth in the 2024‑25 campaign. Valverde plans to integrate him into a back‑four that pairs veteran Mikel Balenziaga with the emerging left‑back Jon Karrikaburu.
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, now faces a renewed scramble for a reliable right‑back ahead of pre‑season. Rumours link them to a possible loan move for England’s Mattias Svanberg or a permanent switch for Girona’s Álex Collado.
The transfer also nudges the competitive balance in La Liga. With Athletic strengthening their right flank, Barcelona and Real Madrid will need to adjust their attacking patterns, especially in the high‑press zones where Areso excels.
Looking ahead: preseason and beyond
Areso is slated to join Athletic’s training camp on July 5, 2025, with his official presentation scheduled for July 10 at San Mamés. Fans can expect him to feature in the club’s first friendly against SD Eibar on July 20, a match that will likely serve as his debut.
Should he stay injury‑free, the right‑back could be a starter by the season opener on August 23, when Athletic faces Valencia at the Mestalla. The club’s medical team has already highlighted his “excellent recovery record” after a minor hamstring issue in early 2024.
All eyes will be on how quickly he adapts to Valverde’s tactical demands. If he does, Athletic could be looking at a solid defensive foundation for a title push – a prospect that would make the €12 million price tag feel like a bargain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jesús Areso’s transfer affect Athletic Club’s defensive options?
Areso gives Athletic a natural right‑back who can also slot into a wing‑back role. His experience in La Liga and familiarity with the club’s philosophy mean he could replace the aging Mikel Balenziaga, offering more pace against counter‑attacks. The six‑year deal also signals a long‑term plan for the back line.
Why did Atletico Madrid lose out on the player despite an early agreement?
Atletico’s bid hinged on a conditional release that depended on the departure of Nahuel Molina. When Molina stayed, Areso’s preferences shifted toward Athletic, whose emotional pull and guaranteed playing time at San Mamés outweighed Madrid’s financial offer.
What does the €12 million fee represent for Athletic Club’s transfer strategy?
It marks the club’s largest summer spend since the Oihan Sancet deal in 2023, underscoring a willingness to invest in home‑grown talent rather than foreign imports. The fee also reflects the market reality of a release‑clause activation for a player with over 120 La Liga caps.
When will Areso officially join Athletic’s training camp?
He is slated to report to the pre‑season camp on July 5, 2025. His formal unveiling will take place at San Mamés on July 10, followed by his first friendly appearance on July 20 against SD Eibar.
How might this signing influence the broader La Liga market this summer?
Athletic’s aggressive move could spark a chain reaction, prompting clubs like Sevilla and Real Betis to secure their own defensive reinforcements early. It also signals that clubs with limited budgets are ready to spend significant sums to retain regional talent, potentially inflating prices for similar profiles.