The situation has reached an unsustainable point at El Sadar. What seemed like a simple contract disagreement has turned into an institutional conflict that threatens to leave a mark. Jesús Areso, one of the most promising full-backs from the Navarrese academy, has decided to push things to the limit.
While Osasuna tries to seriously plan for the 2025-26 season, there's a file that can't be closed. It's not the club's fault. The footballer's attitude has left the sporting management bewildered, and they no longer know how to proceed.
The player walks out on the club without explanation
According to Sport, the defender didn't show up for the team's first training session, ignoring the coaching staff's draft.
No injury, no permission, no prior explanation. Simply, Areso decided not to appear. Since then, the conflict has only escalated.
People close to the player claim that his wish is to leave this summer. He has offers on the table and isn't willing to stay at a club where he doesn't feel valued.
But at Osasuna, the version is different. They believe he's forcing the situation in a calculated way.
Comparisons with Nico Williams
The case inevitably brings to mind what happened weeks ago with Nico Williams at Athletic. He renewed after playing coy, pushing things to the limit, and keeping the directors on edge until the last moment. Areso seems to have taken note of the strategy.
The player rejoined the group this Friday, according to Diario de Navarra, but his return doesn't solve anything.
There's no agreement for his departure. There are also no signs that he wants to stay. His contract expires in 2026, so Osasuna isn't obliged to sell.
The question is whether it's worth keeping someone who no longer wants to be there.
The club feels betrayed
Braulio Vázquez, the club's sporting director, is disappointed. He had strongly backed Areso upon his return from Athletic Club, but he never expected the player to choose this path. Within the organization, people speak of a "feeling of harassment," "blackmail," and "dirty play."
Areso had been one of the great hopes for Osasuna's future. Everything points to his story with Osasuna ending badly. The club is already working in the market to cover his possible departure.
Atlético de Madrid will pay his release clause
The interest in Areso is real. First Division teams and foreign clubs are closely following him.
But Osasuna doesn't plan to give him away. If there's no offer that convinces them, he'll have to fulfill his contract. Even if that means having him in the stands all season.
The case is on. The player, far from calming things down, seems willing to take his standoff to the end.
At the last minute, Atlético de Madrid has joined Athletic in its interest in Areso. Osasuna prefers to sell him to the Madrid club; they don't forgive Athletic for a phone call to the player during training.
Athletic promised to pay his release clause, but hasn't done so. The player seems to feel hurt and is willing to change course, heading toward Atlético de Madrid. The Madrid club is willing to pay the clause.
Athletic continues to cause harm in Pamplona with its transfer policy. That's why Osasuna prefers to sell him to the Madrid club.