Latest developments
- Liverpool are leading the race to sign Athletic Club's Oihan Sancet.
- The attacking midfielder has a release clause worth £67 million.
- The Spain international has scored eight times in 15 games in 2024/25.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2.5/5): Story broke in Spain
Arne Slot's Liverpool are the current frontrunners to sign Athletic Club midfielder Sancet, as they are ready to part with £67 million, Sancet's release clause.
This news comes from fichajes.net, one of the leading transfer news sites in Spain, who could have sources close to the Bilbao club.
Value (2/5): Release clause is double his worth
Academy product Sancet is under contract at the San Mames until 2032, putting Athletic in no hurry at all to make a quick profit from the player who already has eight goals this season and made his Spain debut just over a year ago.
The 24-year-old is valued at £33.5 million according to Transfermarkt, half his release clause. Aston Villa are said to be interested and paying the clause will put the Reds at the front of the queue, but there seems no other reason to fork out so much.
Suitability (3/5): Fits a 4-2-3-1
As an attacking midfielder first and foremost, Sancet will be at home in the 4-2-3-1 formation often used by Slot, which is what he is used to under Ernesto Valverde at Athletic. He can drop back to centre-midfield, but Slot's other option, 4-3-3, might not get the best out of him.
Upgrade? (2.5/5): Level with Szoboszlai?
The Reds are already blessed when it comes to midfield options, with Dominik Szoboszlai their main man in an attacking role. The Hungarian hasn't always hit the heights expected of him at Anfield, but Sancet is probably not quite at his level, or equal in ability at best, despite his excellent form.
Logic (2.5/5): Sancet settled in Spain
Sancet teaming up with Unai Emery at Villa would be exciting to see and probably quite attractive to the Pamplona native, but a move to Anfield where winning titles is more likely could be more tempting.
That said, given Bilbao's transfer policy and his long contract, he might feel more inclined to stay with his boyhood club and become another local legend in the red and white stripes.
Whisper+ verdict: 12.5/5
This move does not make much sense for Liverpool, who would be paying a huge price when they already have one in the best in the world in Sancet's position, plus a whole host of attack-minded midfielders who can step into that role.
