Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly vying for Athletic Club star Oihan Sancet.
Oihan Sancet has become one of the most talked-about midfielders in Spain and now, his name is echoing across Premier League corridors. According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Athletic Club playmaker has attracted strong interest from Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur, each eager to bring the versatile Spanish talent to England this summer.
At just 24 years old, Sancet has already established himself as a core figure in Ernesto Valverde’s setup at Athletic, delivering an outstanding season with 14 goals and three assists in 28 appearances. His intelligence between the lines, goal threat from midfield, and technical quality make him one of the most complete attacking midfielders in La Liga today.
However, signing him won’t be easy. Sancet is under contract until 2032 and has a release clause of €80 million, which the Basque outfit reportedly refuses to negotiate down. With Valverde labelling him as “irreplaceable”, any suitor will have to pay top dollar to prise him away from Bilbao.
A good fit in the Premier League
Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs are building a fluid and attacking midfield, and Sancet fits the vision perfectly. His ability to arrive late in the box and link play would complement James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur, giving Tottenham a creative trifecta capable of unlocking any defence. With European football a realistic aim, Sancet could be the added spark Spurs need to return to the Champions League stage.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery and sporting director Monchi are on a mission to elevate Villa to elite status. Sancet’s style — crafty, mobile, and composed in tight spaces- aligns well with Emery’s possession-based system. Villa’s qualification for next season’s Champions League gives them a unique selling point, offering Sancet the stage to shine at the highest level while being a central figure in an ambitious project.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool is expected to undergo a stylistic transition, and a player like Sancet could thrive in a high-tempo, technically focused midfield. With a proven track record of nurturing Spanish talent and Champions League football secured, Anfield presents a compelling destination. Sancet would likely rotate with or complement players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, providing an extra layer of attacking depth.
Sancet is the kind of player who can elevate any midfield, not just with goals and assists, but with his vision, timing, and positional intelligence. He is more than a luxury signing; he is a modern playmaker who fits seamlessly into several Premier League systems. While €80 million is no small fee, for Liverpool, Villa, or Spurs, it could prove a worthy investment for a player ready to explode onto the European stage. The only question is: who has the courage and the capital to make the first move?
