Ander Iturraspe has wished goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga ‘all the best’ following his €80m move to Premier League giants Chelsea.
The Athletic Bilbao stopper has joined the London club in a high-profile summer move before the English transfer window closes on Thursday, and midfielder Iturraspe was charged with being the squad’s spokesman to analyse the move.
“I don’t know what was going through Kepa’s head and what he wanted, but everything was done very quickly,” Iturraspe told reporters.
“It’s a shame as he is an important player for us, but we have two other goalkeepers who we trust and now get their chance. They are two great keepers.
“I wish Kepa all the best and all the luck in the world. He played with my brother, but his is a personal decision and it’s difficult to evaluate things.
“There are others who have decided to stay, yet things move on and Athletic as a club is above anything else. Others have left and you can’t do anything about it.”
The 29-year-old, who has been with the Basques all his professional career, was asked if the money should be used to reinforce Eduardo Berizzo’s first-team squad.
“That’s a question for the sports management team and the Coach, but honestly this squad has some great options in every position,” he answered.
“Europe is clearly our objective and that’s something we’ve managed to achieve in the last few years, so that’s where we want to be.
“On a personal level, I have a year left on my contract and nothing has happened to make me want to leave.
“For me, nothing has changed and I want to play at the highest level.”
