How Bilbao built squad for less than price of Onana with unique transfer policy

ATHLETIC BILBAO will be hoping their unique transfer policy will pay dividends when they face Manchester United.

The LaLiga side take on the Red Devils in the Europa League semi-finals with the first leg in Spain on Thursday.

Bilbao are unlike most clubs in world football with a self-imposed transfer limitation.

The current team has been assembled for less than the £47.2million that Man United could end up paying for Andre Onana.

Ernesto Valverde's squad only has five players who have been paid for in transfer deals totalling just £46.1m.

They are Yuri Berchiche (£21m), Oscar de Marcos (£255,000), Alex Berenguer (£9.5m), Alvaro Djalo (£12.8m) and Maroan Sannadi (£2.55m).

The remainder of the squad came through the youth academy or have been free transfers.

With the likes of Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams and his brother Nico in the mix, they have assembled a top squad.

The Basque Country where Bilbao is located has a population of 2.2million - a quarter of the size of London - and has a low number of immigrants.

Despite this relatively small pool and limited transfer strategy, the club has enjoyed success.

Bilbao have won EIGHT LaLiga titles - which is only less than Real Madrid (36), Barcelona (27) and Atletico Madrid (11).

They also have six more league titles than Basque rivals Real Sociedad.

The club have also won TWENTY-FOUR Copa del Rey titles with their last success coming in 2024.

They have never won a European honour and will be hoping to achieve that this season by getting past Manchester United.

What is Athletic Bilbao's transfer policy?

The club has instilled a "Basque-only" policy, which means not just any footballer can play for the club.

The San Mames outfit has stated that every one of their players has to either been born or raised in the Basque Country.

Another statement reads: "As an institution, Athletic Club and all its supporters are characterised by a steadfast belief in a set of values which are becoming increasingly uncommon in football and 21st century sport.

"Athletic Club takes pride in its own and has a philosophy and way of seeing football that is unique in the world of football.

"This ideal is fully reflected in its policy of promoting academy players.

"Athletic Club is based in Bilbao, a city situated in Biscay, a province which makes up part of the Basque Country.

"The club’s sporting philosophy is governed by a code which states that Athletic Club may only field players who have come through its own academy or the academies of other clubs in the Basque Country, or players who were born in the following territories which constitute the Basque Country: Biscay, Gipuzkoa, Alava, Navarre, Labourd, Soule and Lower Navarre."

Why do Athletic Bilbao only sign players from the Basque region?

The rule was introduced in 1911 after a dispute between Bilbao and fellow Basque-based side Real Sociedad.

Bilbao had fielded ineligible players from England as well as some non-Basque players in a Copa del Rey match.

The Spanish FA ruled that players must be Spanish citizens to appear in the competition from the following season.

Bilbao opted to maintain the approach even when regulations were later relaxed.

A statement on the club website reads: "During the Copa tournament held at Jolaseta in April 1911, several of the participating teams denounced Athletic for improperly fielding foreigners.

"From then on, Athletic Club would compete only with home-grown players, thus giving birth to the philosophy that today distinguishes it from any other team in elite football."

The policy makes the club prioritise the signings of players who were born in the Basque Country.

The region is in the north of Spain and borders France on the western coast.

The policy was implemented in order to preserve the unique culture and identity of the region.

Have Athletic Bilbao ever signed non-Basque players?

The club states that every player since the start of the rule has been born in the Basque Country or raised there.

However, some players who have turned out for the club have sparked debate.

Former Manchester City star Aymeric Laporte became the first Frenchman to graduate from the club's youth system in 2012.

He was only connected to the Basque Country via his great-grandparents.

France star Antoine Griezmann has been a controversial one as he was developed by Basque-based Real Sociedad.

He arrived at the club at the age of 14 with the likes of Bilbao's academy director, Jose Maria Amorrortu, believing that he would qualify.

However, some argue that he is ineligible, like adults who have been transferred in by Sociedad.

Do Athletic Bilbao managers have to be Basque and have they had non-Basque managers?

There are some exceptions to the rule as the club's coaching staff does not need to be Basque.

The club has had managers from England, Germany, France, Argentina and Hungary.

English managers of Bilbao have included Henry John Bagge, William Garbutt, Ralph Kirby, Ronnie Allen and Howard Kendall.

The most recent manager who was not even Spanish was Argentine Eduardo Berizzo for 15 matches in 2018.