Athletic Club, eager to sign this young star

The 25/26 season of the Athletic Club is leaving a bittersweet taste at San Mamés. The campaign started with excitement, high expectations, and the return to the Champions League as the flagship, but over the months, the initial enthusiasm has dwindled.

The results are not favorable and, beyond the scores, the team's performances are generating concern. Athletic is not competing well, lacks conviction, and the structural deficiencies of the squad are becoming evident from within and outside the club.

A season well below expectations

In LaLiga, Athletic holds the eighth position with 24 points, a modest figure for a team that aimed to establish itself in the top positions of the table. Inconsistency has been prevalent, with too many draws, avoidable defeats, and a lack of continuity preventing the final leap.

The return to the Champions League has also not provided the expected boost. With five points in six games, the team led by Ernesto Valverde still has mathematical chances to progress to the next round, but the outlook is challenging. The margin for error is minimal, and the general feeling is that the team has barely reached the required level for the top European competition.

To add to this, was the harsh blow suffered in the Supercopa. The heavy defeat against Barcelona in the semifinals, with a 4-0 halftime scoreline and 5-0 at full time, painted a very poor picture and raised all alarms. Not only due to the result but also the lack of response, intensity, and solutions on the field.

A short squad and impactful decisions

Now, the focus is not solely on the coaching staff. The growing sentiment is that the squad is incomplete and lacks distinctive attacking profiles. Athletic has been competing with what they have, but the lack of depth and goal threat at crucial moments is taking its toll.

In this scrutiny, a name emerges as consensual: Borja Sainz. The forward, currently at Porto, was a genuine option to reinforce the team last summer, yet the club did not commit with the necessary conviction. That strategic doubt is now a cause for regret in the boardrooms.

Sainz had just concluded an outstanding season in the English Championship, scoring 18 goals, and was ready for a significant leap. Athletic considered it but didn't finalize the deal, allowing Porto to seize the opportunity and sign him for €13 million.

Borja Sainz, the one that got away… and returns to the scene

At 24 years old, Borja Sainz has proven that the jump was not too big for him. He swiftly adapted to a demanding and competitive environment at Porto. So far this season, he has tallied five goals and two assists in 16 league matches, along with a goal and an assist in the Europa League.

His progression has been steady, fitting perfectly with what Athletic currently lacks: dynamism, goals, the ability to change matches, and a genuine threat from the flanks or central areas. There is a strong belief at San Mamés that he would have been a key addition to raise the team's level.

The current issue is financial. The player's market value has surged to €23 million, nearly double what he cost just a few months ago. Porto is in no rush and acknowledges they have a player whose value has increased and attracts interest in the market.

Despite this, Athletic doesn’t rule out making another move, this time with greater determination. The club recognizes that significant effort will be needed to correct past mistakes and provide the squad with the quality boost that is currently lacking.

There is still room for a reaction this season, but the diagnosis is clear. Athletic fell short in their planning, and now they face the consequences. Borja Sainz symbolizes the missed opportunity that has become a necessity over time. The upcoming summer could be pivotal in reshaping the project and preventing the current discreetness from becoming a habit.