Bilbao Athletic's match against Zamora provided clues about Athletic Bilbao's transfer market activity. The club's reserve team made their Primera RFEF debut with a 1-1 draw yesterday in Zamora, a game notable for the absences of two players with uncertain futures: Gift and Olabarrieta.
Why did Gift and Olabarrieta not play?
Neither Gift nor Olabarrieta were part of coach Bittor Llopis's matchday squad for the game in Zamora. This was no coincidence. With the summer transfer window closing this Tuesday, both absences point directly to imminent departures. Gift, a forward who was part of the first-team preseason under Edin Terzic, is the primary target for Eibar. The Basque club, managed by Jokin Aranbarri who coached Bilbao Athletic for the last two seasons, is seeking a loan deal. Meanwhile, Olabarrieta, who was on loan at Andorra last season, has Eldense in LaLiga Hypermotion as a potential destination, as reported by the outlet 'La Cantera de Lezama'.
What did the Primera RFEF debut show?
The match itself was Bilbao Athletic's official debut in the third tier of Spanish football. Under Llopis, the team showed solidity but couldn't secure a win away at Zamora. The 1-1 draw provides a starting point in a long and competitive league. This initial result places the reserve side in the mid-table, though the standings are very early. Fans can follow the team's progress and check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
How does this affect the first team?
Movements in the reserve team have a direct impact on the planning of the senior squad. The potential departure of Gift, after being with Terzic in the summer, suggests the Bosnian coach has already made decisions about his forward options. For Olabarrieta, a new loan aims to get him minutes in a professional league like LaLiga Hypermotion, a step above the RFEF. These operations would allow the club to fine-tune its squad and find playing time for players who need it. The current makeup of Athletic's squad could see some minor last-hour adjustments.
What happens now with the deadline?
Tuesday is the cutoff. Negotiations for Gift and Olabarrieta must be finalized in the coming hours or the players will remain at Lezama, at least until January. For Eibar, signing Gift would mean a quality offensive reinforcement. For Eldense, Olabarrieta would bring youth and potential. Bilbao Athletic, meanwhile, will continue its league campaign with the squad defined after Tuesday. The job for Bittor Llopis will be to shape a competitive group, regardless of these final movements. The reserve team's next match will be another chance to see the talent from the Lezama academy in action.
