Bilbao "Athletic" informed their goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga that if he wants to move to Madrid's "Real", he will have to pay the buyout clause specified in his contract himself.
The 23-year-old footballer has recently been linked to the "royal" club, as the Spanish champions want to provide more competition for Keylor Navas.
Kepa does not want to extend his contract, which is valid until next summer, but the Basque team's management does not want to sell him in the winter.
"There is nothing to say about Kepa because we have not received a clear answer," said "Athletic" president Josu Urrutia. "I would add that this is a process that has been going on continuously for 15 months. When we started negotiations and still had two years ahead, it did not come to the fore."
"We know everything that is written in the media, but we do not have confirmation from the player's representatives or Real Madrid representatives. We are not informed about any team's negotiations with Kepa."
"Athletic" is not a selling club, and if a player wants to leave, it must first be his own desire, and then they must pay the buyout clause specified in their contract.
Kepa can move to another team for 20 million euros, but with just six months left until the end of his contract, no one is likely to be willing to pay such a sum.
