The abrupt departure of goalkeeper Álex Padilla from Pumas UNAM to Athletic de Bilbao has raised significant concerns following the recent signing of Julen Agirrezabala by Valencia. This forced Athletic to bring back Padilla from loan to act as a backup for Unai Simón. However, reports suggest that disagreements between Pumas and Athletic regarding Padilla have led FIFA to impose a transfer ban on Athletic, preventing them from registering new players for the next three transfer windows.

According to the Spanish newspaper El País, Athletic de Bilbao is now on a list of clubs barred from registering new signings due to these unresolved differences with Pumas. This ban could be detrimental to the club's plans, especially as the report mentions that the restrictions could last until 2028 if a resolution is not reached swiftly. The ongoing situation has left Athletic in a precarious position as they navigate their upcoming campaigns with limited options in bolstering their squad.

Sources close to the club indicate that there may be a path to resolving the disputes between Pumas and Athletic, hopefully allowing for a resolution sooner rather than later. However, the implications of this ban cast a long shadow over Athletic's immediate future and strategy in the league, particularly regarding player acquisitions and overall team competitiveness.