Athletic Club Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao director Rafa Alkorta has dismissed speculation Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuain could join the club as a free agent this summer, saying the Argentinian doesn't meet their strict Basque-only policy.

Marca's Juanma Velasco reported Athletic could be shock suitors for the striker in the summer, noting he has Basque ancestry on his father's side. 

Alkorta quickly dismissed those reports in an interview with Onda Cero (h/t Football Italia), however: "In order to sign for us, you must've been either born or formed as a player here. If you do not fit these rules, then it doesn't count. I don't know if one day those rules could be modified, but right now, that is what they are."

Higuain will also not be a free agent this summer―his current contract runs until 2021.

Athletic are the last remaining team in La Liga who have a Basque-only policy, meaning they only sign players who were born in the Basque Country or were trained at a Basque club.

They have bent their rules at times to sign the likes of Aymeric Laporte, but most of the time they adhere to them strictly:

Higuain was born in the French city of Brest, which lies well north of the French Basque Country. His father revealed the links to the region 15 years ago, per Velasco: "My grandfather was of Basque-French origin. My father always told me that my grandfather had taught him that the Basques are neither Spanish nor French, only Basque."

The 32-year-old Higuain is in his second spell with Juventus, returning to the club in the summer after loan stints with AC Milan and Chelsea.

He has been in and out of the team throughout the 2019-20 campaign, with manager Maurizio Sarri continuing to tinker with his formations and starting XI.

Higuain has scored five goals during the Serie A campaign, including this pivotal strike against Inter:

His play has regressed as the season has worn on, however, with just one goal since the turn of the year. Sarry has mostly relied on the duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala up front.

A summer move is a possibility, although Juventus have limited depth in the attacking third and no prospects ready to step into the first team. With one year remaining on his contract, a minimal fee might be enough to convince the Bianconeri to sell if they can find a solid replacement.

Athletic Bilbao have the edge at the halfway point of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Granada, winning the first leg 1-0 at San Mames on Wednesday.

In front of a lively crowd, Athletic were on top throughout the entirety of the first half. They got the reward their dominance deserved through Iker Muniain in the 42nd minute, with the winger converting after some slick approach play.

In the second period, the hosts looked the most likely to net again, although couldn't increase their advantage. They thought they had twice, but both Yeray Alvarez and Ander Capa saw brilliant efforts ruled out for offside.

The second semi-final first leg is between Real Sociedad and Mirandes on Thursday. The second leg between those sides will be played on March 4, with Athletic travelling to Granada a day later.

Following their memorable win over Barcelona in the previous round, it was no shock to see San Mames buzzing hours before the match got underway.

The Bilbao Twitter account posted the following clip of some of the scenes from outside the stadium: 

With a raucous atmosphere behind them, Athletic started the stronger of the two sides, with Granada backed up and defending for their lives in the early stages.

Inaki Williams was causing a number of problems for the visitors with his searing speed and close control. It was Mikel Vesga who had the first big chance for the Bilbao outfit, though, with his shot blocked by Granada keeper Rui Silva.

Williams was key to Athletic opening the scoring, though. With three minutes to go in the first half, the forward played in a perfect cross and Muniain was on hand to covert from close range.

Per Spanish football writer Rik Sharma, the home side were consistently making inroads down the flanks through Williams:

At half time, OptaJose reflected on a dominant performance from Gaizka Garitano's team:

In the early stages of the second period, Athletic thought they had doubled their lead when Alvarez controlled and finished with aplomb. However, his celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee raised his flag.

Ander Capa then volleyed home for the hosts, prompting more significant celebrations. However, after a lengthy VAR review, it was deemed that Williams was interfering with play in an offside position: 

Granada continued to offer little as an attacking threat, with their mindset seemingly geared towards keeping the scoreline down ahead of the second leg.

With the away side sat back, the irrepressible Williams continued to tear forward and he came close to doubling Athletic's advantage when he fired a rasping shot at goal, only to see Silva push it away.

In the latter stages, both teams appeared content with the scoreline, setting up a tense second leg for supporters at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes next month.

  

What's Next?

Athletic are back at San Mames on Sunday, when they host Osasuna in La Liga. Granada are also at home this weekend, with Real Valladolid the visitors.

Athletic Bilbao welcome Granada in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Wednesday in the Basque Country.

The Lions caused one of the shocks of the competition when they eliminated Barcelona with a 1-0 win at San Mames.

Nazaries booked their place in the last four after a 2-1 victory over Valencia, with the semi-final second leg to be held in Andalusia on March 5.

             

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 12

Time: 9 p.m. local, 8 p.m. GMT, 3 p.m. ET

Stream: ESPN+

Odds: Bilbao 83-100, Granada 15-4, draw 12-5 (per Caesars)

             

Preview

Athletic Club are 23-time winners of the Copa del Rey, and their pedigree in the competition has seen them claim the trophy on more occasions than Real Madrid.

Barca are the only club with more cup success than Bilbao. The Spanish champions couldn't deny the Lions' progression in the previous round.

Despite being one of Spain's historical giants, Bilbao have struggled in the top flight since their last La Liga title success in 1983-84, which also saw them win the double.

Since then, the club have used the cup as a route to prolong their campaigns, and they have ended the season as finalists four times.

Bilbao are currently 10th in La Liga, and the Copa is now their best chance of success. Granada began the campaign playing exceptional football, briefly topping the table. However, their form has slid since October.

The Andalusian team won six of their opening 10 La Liga fixtures, but multiple defeats have crushed what could have been a historic league campaign. They will now search for solace in the cup.

Granada's 2-1 win in the last eight over a strong Valencia team proved they can beat tough opposition, but the elongated two-leg format of the semi-finals might count against them.

Bilbao will be keen to earn a telling first-leg advantage against a club which has spent most of its existence in the Segunda Division.

Granada have reached the Copa final just once, when they lost 4-1 to Barca in 1958-59. A spot in this year's final would be a huge achievement for the minnows after years of fighting relegation battles at the end of each season.

Prediction: Bilbao 2-1 win in first leg.

Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams said he was racially abused during the 1-1 draw against Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday.

Reuters' Richard Martin shared Williams' comments after the match, while the player also took to social media with a "Say No to Racism" message:

Iñaki Williams after Athletic game v Espanyol: "I'm sad because of the draw but above all because I suffered racist insults, no black player or any player wants to hear that. It's completely out of order people should go to matches to enjoy themselves abd to support their team.."

— Richard Martin (@RichMartinMcr) January 25, 2020

Es muy triste que a día de hoy sigamos viviendo escenas de racismo en el fútbol. Tenemos que acabar con ello entre TODOS. Gracias por vuestro apoyo. #NOalRacismo #SayNoToRacism ✋🏿✋🏼 pic.twitter.com/3UauFEXjH4

— IÑAKI WILLIAMS ARTHUER (@Williaaams45) January 25, 2020

According to the Spanish Football Podcast, Williams reported the abuse to his captain, Iker Muniain, who informed the referee during the match. The game continued after the complaint, and the official made no note of the incident in his post-match report:

There were racist chants against Iñaki Williams in the game against Athletic in Cornella today. He told Athletic captain Iker Muniain who informed the referee. The game finished 1-1. https://t.co/1ybICS6U1c

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) January 25, 2020

Refs report from Espanyol v Athletic - where Inaki Williams told officials he'd been racially abused - says 'none' in spot for 'extras to report' pic.twitter.com/jWzvIIUYSG

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) January 25, 2020

La Liga president Javier Tebas condemned the abuse (h/t football writer Colin Millar):

La Liga chief condemns racist insults at Espanyol alongside the violence on the streets outside both Espanyol-Athletic and Valencia-Barcelona. Says league will work along with clubs to eradicate this. https://t.co/0JOg2vM9SG

— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) January 25, 2020

Millar shared video footage of the abuse:

And here is the footage of Williams receiving racist abuse after being substituted off at Espanyol. https://t.co/fmRp8QKk9U

— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) January 25, 2020

The 25-year-old Williams has spent his entire professional career with Athletic, a club known for its strict Basque-only player policy. He was the first black player to score for the side and has been a regular since making his debut in 2014.

As sports writers Sid Lowe and Andrew Gaffney noted, Spanish football has a bad track record when it comes to dealing with incidents of racist abuse during matches:

And what happened to the protocol of making an announcement at least? As always under Tebas' rule, bad things are swept under the carpet and ignored.

— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) January 25, 2020

Since UEFA instituted its three-step protocol to combat racist abuse during matches, only one fixture in Spain's top two divisions has been halted. In December, the match between Rayo Vallecano and Albacete was abandoned after Roman Zozulya, a white forward from Ukraine, was accused of being a Nazi by Rayo fans.

Athletic's Asier Villalibre and Raul de Tomas of Espanyol scored the goals in Saturday's draw. Athletic are now seventh in the table, while Espanyol are just one point ahead of last-placed Leganes.

Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has said he was contacted by Manchester United before penning a new nine-year deal at the San Mames Stadium in August.

The 25-year-old was linked with a move to Old Trafford before committing his future to Athletic, per BBC Sport.

He has now said he was in contact with United but added he plans to stay at Bilbao for his entire career, per Cadena SER's El Larguero programme (h/t Football Espana): "I had contact from Manchester United, but I cannot tell you who it was. My number one option has always been to stay at Athletic Club and to retire here. Joining Real Sociedad? No, I could never go there. One hundred percent."

An Athletic Bilbao youth graduate, Williams has been a key part of the club's senior side since the 2014-15 season, and he has played a part in every one of their La Liga games since the end of the 2015-16 season:

Iñaki Williams has played 122 consecutive LaLiga games, the longest streak by any player in the 21st century.

Iñaki Williams has clocked the fastest speed in @LaLiga so far this season: 34.37km/h

Stamina 🤝 Speed pic.twitter.com/6iXNKjlyAq

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 5, 2019

He enjoyed his most prolific season to date in 2018-19, when he scored 13 goals and provided four assists in the Spanish top flight.

United are arguably lacking in depth in attack after both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez joined Inter Milan, though summer signing Daniel James has started his United career in fine fashion:

Daniel James per game in the Premier League so far this season:

2.8 shots (1.5 on target)
2.8 fouls won
0.8 goals

A fantastic start. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/7d114P97Fs

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 3, 2019

Still, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will need Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial to increase their output in front of goal this term if the Red Devils are to break the Premier League's top four again.

Williams could have been a fine addition to United's squad to make up for the goals lost by the departure of Lukaku, and his remarkable pace would have made him a good fit in Solskjaer's system.

However, the Bilbao-born forward has now made it quite clear he does not want to leave Athletic, and the £125 million release clause included in his latest contract is likely to ward of most suitors.

Athletic Club forward Inaki Williams has signed a new nine-year contract with the club, it was confirmed on Monday.

The La Liga side announced the news on Twitter, with Williams now tied down at the San Mames until 2028:

Because you are a lion... 🦁

... and because this is your home 🏠

💥✍🏿 #WILLIAMS2028 👊🏿🤩#AthleticClub 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/1TF20g7OrE

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) August 12, 2019

Per Sky Sports, the 25-year-old was recently linked with a move to Manchester United, although he's made an emphatic show of commitment to his current employers.

"Hopefully great things can come because what I want to make this club bigger, if possible," he said upon agreeing the extension, per BBC Sport. "This, as you can see, is my house, and all I want, I have it here. The club has always bet on me—it has given me everything. I feel it is my home."

Spanish football journalist David Cartlidge noted that Williams' release clause in Bilbao has been boosted as part of the deal, in light of recent speculation:

The last deal signed by Iñaki was in January 2018 (until 2025). A new one has been in the works for some time as there was caution on the part of Athletic in regards to the clause. He also joins the top earner group at Athletic w/ Muniain Raúl García and Iñigo Martínez.

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) August 12, 2019

Williams has established himself as a key player for the Basque outfit in recent years. Bet365 tracked his rise from academy prospect to his current position:

Iñaki Williams:

- Born in Bilbao
- Came through the Athletic Bilbao youth setup
- Represented the club's B team
- Made over 150 appearances for the first team
- Signed a new *nine-year* contract

"Because you are a lion and this is your home." 🦁 pic.twitter.com/d87FJ7VSWF

— bet365 (@bet365) August 12, 2019

Although there are still raw parts to his game, when he's in form the Spain international is one of the most devastating attackers in La Liga.

Williams can play across the front line, providing penetration from wide areas or offering a threat in behind the opposition defence when used through the middle. Last season, he added more of a goal threat to his game, netting 13 times in 38 La Liga appearances.

The standout performance from 2018-19 came against Sevilla, when he scored a couple of outstanding goals in front of his come crowd:

| ⚡️🦁 |

Athletic Bilbao are heading to the UK 🇬🇧

They face @WestHamUtd at London Stadium on Saturday 3rd August!

Think the Irons' defence is ready for Inaki Williams? 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q22SVoC2Jk

— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) July 19, 2019

WhoScored.com noted how much of a threat Williams can be when Athletic are in transition:

Inaki Williams: No player scored more counter-attacking goals than Williams (3) in LaLiga last season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/2xyF2dTspg pic.twitter.com/aQVnNwH0gv

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) August 12, 2019

The news will be a major boost for Athletic supporters ahead of the new season. There were signs last term that their No. 9 was ready to deliver on his potential, and this deal means he can focus on his football in Bilbao for the foreseeable future.

Manager Gaizka Garitano will be hopeful his side can challenge for a European place in La Liga this season. The coach steadied the ship after coming in midway through the 2018-19 term, helping Athletic finish eighth after a challenging start.

Real Sociedad are keen to erase Inigo Martinez from their memory after the 26-year-old central defender signed for their Basque rivals, Athletic Bilbao, during the winter transfer window. The San Sebastian-based club released a statement inviting their fans to return Real Sociedad jerseys with Martinez's name on them. It has promised to replace each one for free as part of the club's "It's already history" campaign, per Diario AS.

In a similar spirit, Onati, a town of about 10,000 people in the Basque Country heartland, has "dismantled" its Inigo Martinez supporters club in a fit of pique. Martinez's suggestion at his unveiling as an Athletic Bilbao player that he has joined "a great club" that isn't content to be "mid-table" hurts, too.

"Of course Real Sociedad fans are browned off, but it has to be taken relatively speaking," author Phil Ball said. Ball wrote Morbo, a book on Spanish football rivalries, and has been living in San Sebastian since 1991. "This isn't Celtic vs. Rangers or the Barca vs. Real Madrid rivalry. Basques are Basques. There is a healthy rivalry. You would never get any violence between the clubs' supporters nowadays, but there have been times in the past when Real Sociedad fans have felt that Athletic Bilbao have lorded it over them.

"Real Sociedad have always been in Athletic Bilbao's shadow financially due to Bilbao being a bigger city. The Martinez transfer is a good example. Real Sociedad were paying Martinez a salary of a couple of million euros, but now he's getting around €5 million at Athletic. There's an idea in Bilbao that 'the best Basque players in the end come to play for us.' That's a phrase that goes down badly here."

Ball said it was inevitable Martinez was going to leave the club, mentioning that he has previously been linked with moves to Manchester City, Juventus and Barcelona. What is galling for Real Sociedad fans is that he has gone to Athletic Bilbao.

"This is the shock—that he has gone to Bilbao, especially after the announcements he's made over the last few years like, 'I would never go to the other side,' and as a representative of the club's 'I don't have a second team' advertising campaign; he was probably going to be made captain next year if Xabi Prieto retires," Ball said. "It has taken everyone by surprise. Then again he is from Ondarroa, which is a coastal town in Vizcaya, so he is Biscayan. He does belong to that region; he was a Bilbao supporter as a boy."

The Martinez transfer is part of a pattern. It is the 13th time Athletic Bilbao have lifted a player from Real Sociedad's ranks. The first time it happened was in 1989, when Athletic made a grab for Lorenzo Juarros Garcia, known as Loren, a central defender-cum-striker. Loren later returned to play for Real Sociedad and is currently the club's sporting director. Curiously, the move to Athletic pleased no one—neither Loren, nor the clubs' sets of fans.

#RealSociedad vs #AthleticClub - Lorenzo Juarros "Loren". En la Real (1986-89 y 1993-2002) y en Bilbao (1989-91) pic.twitter.com/U1prgOFSIw

— La Liga en Imágenes (@Ligahistorica) January 5, 2014

"I was 14 when it happened. I remember well when he moved," said professor Angel Iturriaga, author of the Dictionary of Athletic Club Players. "It caused a lot of tension. Real Sociedad fans and directors were irate because Athletic had signed one of their stars without telling them.

"Equally, among the fans of Athletic, many weren't content because the club had spent so much money—300 million pesetas, a record for a Spanish player. He wasn't an international. They felt it was money squandered. I remember talking to socios (members) of Athletic, like my father, who preferred players from the youth academy at Athletic who were performing as well as Loren, like (Jose Angel) Uribarrena.

"In the end, the transfer didn't satisfy anyone. Loren didn't have success at the club. He suffered a lot of pressure from the press and the fans, and he never performed. He ended up signing for Burgos. He didn't triumph at Athletic."

Athletic Bilbao's policy of only signing Basque players, or players who have trained at the club's youth academy, limits their pool. It is a misconception, however, to think that the club's identity is more Basque than Real Sociedad's. If anything, Real Sociedad have a stronger claim in that regard, according to Ball.

"If you look at the clubs' canteras (youth academies), Real Sociedad have produced far more Basque players over the last decade who have gone on to play at the top level than Athletic. In terms of Basque-ness, San Sebastian is a much more Basque city. You can go to the butcher or baker here and you can speak Basque, but you've got to go and look for it in Bilbao. San Sebastian is also a more radical city politically, where Real Sociedad is more associated with left-wing nationalism, whereas Bilbao is associated with right-wing nationalism."

Relations between the clubs deteriorated badly in the summer of 1995, when Athletic Bilbao filched the 17-year-old Joseba Etxeberria. The young winger had only played a handful of games for Real Sociedad, but he was earmarked for greatness, having just finished as the tournament's top scorer in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship, in a glittering Spain team that also featured Raul and Fernando Morientes up front.

Real Sociedad were furious because Athletic Bilbao breached a gentleman's agreement that neither club would swoop for each other's youth academy players, per FourFourTwo magazine.

"The Etxeberria transfer almost started a civil war," Ball said. "I remember Etxeberria came back to Real Sociedad's stadium, Anoeta, after he'd been transferred, and fans threw bottles of water at him." The Royal Spanish Football Federation fined Real Sociedad 100,000 pesetas for their fans' behaviour.

"Athletic has always taken players from Real Sociedad, like Etxeberria, Bittor Alkiza, Iban Zubiaurre, Andoni Imaz, Loren," said former Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Goikoetxea, who managed Etxeberria on the Spain team at the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship. "Real Sociedad must sometimes feel upset at this, but it has no other option. Sometimes it inserts an 'anti-Athletic' clause in its contracts, a clause which restricts players from signing for Athletic. The relationship between the clubs is sometimes harsh and sometimes affectionate, I think."

Goikoetxea, who is immortalised for his on-field duels with Diego Maradona during the early 1980s when the Argentinian played with Barcelona, is correct when he says there is an ambivalent strand to the clubs' relations. They've had their good and bad days together, including a notorious match in 1918 during the Basque championship at Atocha, Real Sociedad's old stadium.

"It was a very serious confrontation," Iturriaga said. "There was a pitch invasion. Fans threw stones at Belauste, a mythical player of this era for Athletic. A boy from San Sebastian got badly injured. There have been confrontations like that between the clubs during their history. They're like brothers who don't get on well sometimes."

Goikoetxea fondly recalls playing the day when Athletic Bilbao defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at San Mames to secure the league title in the final game of the 1983-1984 season. It concluded a four-year run in which Athletic Bilbao won back-to-back championships after Real Sociedad had won consecutive titles. "They were happy about each other's success in the 1980s," Ball said. "There is less affection for neighbouring Osasuna, for example, which is seen as semi-Spanish and not quite so Basque."

Goikoetxea was also part of the most notable incident in the clubs' shared history, in December 1976. In only the second Basque derby since the death of General Francisco Franco a year earlier, Spain was transitioning from a fascist dictatorship; freedoms were still curtailed.

Hoy se cumplen 41 años de esta fotografía en la que se ve a Iribar y Kortabarria portando una ikurriña aún ilegal. pic.twitter.com/IyB1aURfoT

— Iñaki Errazkin (@Errazkin) December 5, 2017

One of Real Sociedad's squad players, Jose Antonio de la Hoz Uranga—who was later sentenced to eight years in prison for his part in Basque separatist organisation ETA's 1987 kidnapping of a Basque businessman Andres Gutierrez Blanco, per La Informacion—hatched a plan to display the Basque nationalist flag, la ikurrina, at the match. As the flag was outlawed, he had to get his sister to sew one for him, and he smuggled it into the stadium, past police surveillance, in his kitbag.

"It wasn't legal under Franco to display the flag, so there was a lot of tension and nervousness," Goikoetxea said. "The ikurrina was taken out by the two teams' captains, Jose Angel Iribar from Athletic and Real Sociedad's Inaxio Kortabarria. The national police were there on the pitch. There was great fear. Nobody knew what would happen. Fortunately, nothing happened.

"It was the first time the ikurrina was shown in public. The dictatorship hadn't finished, but at least the Basque flag could be shown, and that was a positive thing. It was the bravery of Iribar and Kortabarria, the captains who brought the flag out together. It was a beautiful thing, and I remember it with great emotion."

The match, which Real Sociedad won 5-0, was almost an afterthought. Today, the makeshift flag resides in Real Sociedad's museum, an erasable symbol of the two clubs' rich Basque history.

            

All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise indicated.

Follow Richard on Twitter: @Richard_Fitz

Athletic Bilbao kicked off Week 32 of the 2016-17 La Liga season with a bang Friday as the Basques beat Las Palmas 5-1.

Aritz Aduriz and Iker Muniain both scored twice in the rout, which moved the team past rivals Real Sociedad in the standings.

Here's a look at the latest standings:

Pos	Team	PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Real Madrid	30	22	6	2	79	31	+48	72
2	Barcelona	31	21	6	4	88	28	+60	69
3	Atletico Madrid	31	18	8	5	56	24	+32	62
4	Sevilla	31	18	7	6	56	39	+17	61
5	Villarreal	31	15	9	7	45	24	+21	54
6	Athletic Club	32	16	5	11	45	37	+8	53
7	Real Sociedad	31	16	4	11	46	42	+4	52
8	Eibar	31	14	8	9	52	42	+10	50
9	Espanyol	31	12	10	9	43	42	+1	46
10	Celta Vigo	30	12	5	13	45	51	-6	41
11	Alaves	31	10	10	11	29	38	-9	40
12	Valencia	31	11	6	14	47	54	-7	39
13	Las Palmas	32	10	8	14	51	57	-6	38
14	Malaga	31	8	9	14	36	47	-11	33
15	Real Betis	31	8	7	16	33	51	-18	31
16	Deportivo La Coruna	31	6	10	15	33	50	-17	28
17	Leganes	31	6	9	16	26	48	-22	27
18	Sporting Gijon	31	5	7	19	32	61	-29	22
19	Granada	31	4	8	19	27	65	-38	20
20	Osasuna	31	3	8	20	32	70	-38	17

Athletic wasted little time jumping out to a significant lead over Las Palmas as the hosts were already up 3-1 after just 18 minutes. Sports writer Sid Lowe was shocked when he found out:

Blimey, Athletic 3-1 up against Las Palmas already

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) April 14, 2017

Las Palmas' defensive form has been dreadful of late, and a rampant Athletic side took full advantage. Within the first 10 minutes of the match, Mikel San Jose and Muniain had already given the Basques a two-goal lead.

Pedro Bigas restored some hope for the visitors before Aduriz struck for the first time to restore the two-goal advantage. The ageless wonder continues to defy Father Time, as shared by bet365:

⚽️ Goals before the age of 30 - 54

⚽️ Goals since turning 30 - 98

😍 Ladies and gentlemen, Aritz Aduriz Zubeldia. pic.twitter.com/ikETb5kETH

— bet365 (@bet365) April 14, 2017

Bilbao took their foot off the gas to end the half, but after the break, they went looking for more goals. Muniain and Aduriz, so often the main threats for Basques, hit again in the span of just minutes.

Las Palmas had a few half-chances to reduce the deficit late, with Bilbao in cruise control on their way to the final whistle.

Barcelona play Saturday and will have the chance to reverse their form against Real Sociedad, a team that has troubled them so often in the last few years. La Real were unbeaten against the Catalans at the Anoeta for years, and while their form at the Camp Nou hasn't been as impressive, the Basques remain a dangerous team.

As shared by the club's official Twitter account, manager Luis Enrique believes the Blaugrana's chances of winning La Liga could depend on Saturday's match:

🔊 Luis Enrique: "The team is capable. We want to have a chance of winning the league, and that begins with a win against Real Sociedad" pic.twitter.com/Yaej3UMJct

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 14, 2017

Sociedad sit just behind Athletic and Villarreal and are still alive in the hunt for a UEFA Champions League ticket, but their form has been dreadful of late with just one win in their last five La Liga matches.

Real Madrid will be on the road as they visit Sporting Gijon. The hosts are battling for La Liga survival and should be easy pickings for a Real squad that saw their domestic win streak ended in Week 31 against Atletico Madrid.

Athletic Bilbao and star defender Aymeric Laporte agreed to a new contract Monday, handing the Basque club a significant boost in their bid to keep hold of the France international for the foreseeable future.

Per the team's official website, his new deal will run until the end of the 2019-20 season. 

Bilbao shared this short video of the youngster signing his new deal:

Renovación de contrato de Aymeric @Laporte #athletic pic.twitter.com/sT4eEIBjMT

— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) June 13, 2016

Marca (h/t the Sun's Richard Harvey) previously reported Laporte was on the verge of joining Manchester City, with new manager Pep Guardiola said to be enamoured with the youngster. While this new deal doesn't rule out a move, it makes it far less likely.

The 22-year-old's new buyout clause is roughly £51 million, and it will increase to £55 million if Laporte is still with Bilbao in 2018.

Laporte is a graduate of Athletic's vaunted youth setup, and he made his La Liga debut in 2012. He quickly established himself as the team's top defensive option, and his obvious talent turned the heads of several top teams.

Per Telefoot (h/t Daily Star's Chisanga Malata), Manchester United and Barcelona were interested, while City were seen as the favourites for his signature.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe thinks this new contract is a clear sign Laporte has decided to stay with Athletic for now:

Aymeric Laporte signs new deal with Athletic Club. New release clause: €65m. Was given time to decide future, has opted to stay. #MCFC

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) June 13, 2016

Bilbao have a Cantera policy, meaning the club only fields Basque players, and as a result, they're notoriously difficult to negotiate with. Athletic rarely sell their biggest stars unless they have to, and those stars tend to stay at the club far longer than they would elsewhere.

Per Bleacher Report's Guillem Balague, United had to wait a full year to sign Ander Herrera, and the club grew frustrated with Bilbao during the negotiating process.

According to Balague, it's just how the club works:

It is a way for Athletic to say: we dont sell, they get him away from us and we cant do anything about it. Politics

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) June 26, 2014

Laporte's new buyout clause of more than £50 million is steep for a talented but flawed youngster who is currently sidelined with a leg injury, according to Goal's Sam Williams. Few clubs will be willing to pay such a fee, and Athletic have all of the leverage they need to turn down any other offer.

None of this rules out a summer move for Laporte, but he's far more likely to still be playing at the San Mames next season.