Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia admits they made enquiries for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi.
Bilbao had hoped to sign Illarramendi after Real's swoop for Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva.
"There was interest from Athletic in players, although it was focused on Illarramendi, I do not know on what grounds.
"There were also those conversations with club officials in the summer and during previous Christmases. When things materialise, we present them. To detail all of the conversations from our entrance - when you speak with other officials, you show some interest, sometimes they go forward or they don't."
