According to AS, up to eight first division clubs, including Athletic, Osasuna, Alavés, and Real Sociedad, approached Manex Rezola for their reserve teams, and Eibar also showed interest. The clubs were prepared to pay his €150,000 release clause. Athletic, which did not decide to sign Rezola last season when he was offered to their technical department, was unsuccessful on this occasion as Real Madrid had already finalized his signing for the winter market. Real Madrid had worked on the deal for almost a month.