Mikel Jauregizar showcasing his Athletic Bilbao midfield prowess in La Liga, September 2025. Photo credit: CaughtOffside/Getty Images
Credit: CaughtOffside/Getty Images
Chelsea are planning summer 2026 talks to sign Athletic Bilbao’s highly-rated 21-year-old defensive midfielder Mikel Jauregizar, targeting midfield reinforcement despite the player’s contract running until 2031.
Chelsea Eye Summer 2026 Talks for Athletic Bilbao’s Mikel Jauregizar
Chelsea are reportedly planning to hold talks in summer 2026 to sign Athletic Bilbao’s 21-year-old defensive midfielder Mikel Jauregizar, as the Blues seek additional midfield depth beyond their established duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. The Spanish international has established himself as a starter at Athletic Bilbao with 63 appearances and remains under contract until summer 2031, creating a challenging negotiation landscape for any potential suitors.
Jauregizar’s consistent performances in La Liga and the Champions League this season have attracted Chelsea’s attention as part of a broader midfield recruitment strategy that also includes targets like Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Injury concerns with current options Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo have intensified Chelsea’s need for reliable midfield reinforcement, with reports suggesting the young Spaniard represents a potentially more affordable option compared to alternatives like Camavinga.
Athletic Bilbao’s position remains strong given Jauregizar’s lengthy contract without a release clause, meaning any Chelsea approach would require a substantial offer to persuade the Basque club. The player himself has demonstrated commitment to his current project, publicly dismissing Barcelona interest with a blunt “No” at a press conference and describing his six-year deal at Athletic as a “dream come true” while expressing pride in the club’s faith in him.
Athletic Bilbao are expected to resist losing Jauregizar without a very convincing offer, having recently maintained key player Nico Williams amid outside interest from major European clubs. Liverpool showed earlier interest in 2025, but no current competition has been confirmed beyond Chelsea’s internal deliberations over multiple midfield targets, with the Blues exploring various options before committing to specific negotiations.
However, no official club announcements or direct statements have confirmed talks between Chelsea and Athletic Bilbao, with current information stemming from media reports citing sources such as Fichajes. The planned timeline for summer 2026 discussions means the situation remains speculative, with months of monitoring and possible shifts in both club and player positions before any concrete transfer developments materialise.
