Athletic Bilbao have offered striker Ismael Urzaiz a one-year contract extension.
Athletic Bilbao have offered striker Ismael Urzaiz a one-year contract extension.The 33-year-old's current deal expires at the end of the season and the Basque outfit are keen to retain his services.
Urzaiz, a former Spain international, has been with Athletic for the past nine seasons and has scored over 110 goals for the club.
He has yet to respond to the initial offer, but Bilbao will be desperate to try and keep him following news earlier in the week that fellow striker Santiago Ezquerro looks set to leave on a free when his deal expires in June.
Meanwhile, reports in Spain suggest that Athletic are lining up Eibar coach Jose Luis Mendilibar to take over next term.
Current coach Ernesto Valverde has revealed he will be walking away from his post in the summer, and the search for his successor has already begun.
A host of names have already been linked with the position including Michael Laudrup and Walter Zenga, but it is thought Athletic will look closer to home and try to lure Mendilibar from their Basque neighbours.
