BILBAO REACT TO URZAIZ RUMOURS

Urzaiz has only a year to go on his current deal and the possibility of a 3,000 million pesetas move (£10.91 million) by The Magpies has clearly rattled the Basques.

Manager Juup Heynckes praised Urzaiz in the media on Thursday, saying: "For me the progression Urzaiz has shown in the last five years has been extraordinary."

Javier Uria, the president of Athletic, clarified the contractual status of the Navarrese forward.

"The rumours that indicate that Urzaiz is unhappy in Bilbao and what I know are rather opposite in their view.

"As it is we will make all effort to renew his contract sooner than we had hoped. 

"For us he is an important player and we want him to stay with Athletic for a long time, because we consider he has a great career ahead of him."