Unai Simon would reject €150m offer to leave Athletic Bilbao

Unai Simon says he would remain with Athletic Bilbao even if another club paid his €150m release clause, underlining his commitment to the Basque club.

The goalkeeper renewed his contract on 24 May 2024 without including a buyout clause. He has now explained why he believes his loyalty to Athletic Bilbao should be judged by his actions rather than by the terms written into an agreement.

“I do not think the presence or absence of a release clause necessarily reflects how you feel about Athletic Bilbao,” Simon told comments highlighted by Spanish newspaper Marca. “Ultimately, when you want to show that you love something or someone, you do it through your actions every day. You have to prove it every day.”

Simon said his relationship with the club went well beyond contractual commitments and insisted he had no desire to leave.

“I will not leave this place,” he said. “Even if someone came and paid the €150m release clause, I would not go either. I do not want to leave.

“If Athletic Bilbao told me next season that they did not want me to continue, I would pack my bags and leave, despite the great pain that would cause. But as long as the club wants me to stay here, I will not move.”

The Spain international also used the celebrations following Athletic Bilbao’s Copa del Rey triumph to explain the depth of his connection with the club.

Simon contrasted the five days he spent celebrating with friends, family and team-mates after winning the Copa del Rey with the recognition he received after winning the World Cup.

“There is no comparison between the celebrations for the Copa del Rey and the celebrations for the World Cup,” he said. “For me, the five days I spent after winning the Copa del Rey with my friends, the people close to me and my team-mates were nothing like the tribute I received after the World Cup, which professionally represents the highest point any player can reach.”

However, he said the emotional impact of the club’s triumph had been greater in his personal life.

“On the level of passion and the feelings you give to people, or that people make you feel, it is completely different, at least for the people around me,” Simon added.

“Those five days were among the best of my life. They were completed in an exceptional way by the trophy parade on the traditional boat, which was incredible.”