It makes little sense to Alavés that the season has already begun while several of their key players remain the subject of transfer speculation.
The club host Villarreal on Friday night, a side that itself holds an interest in midfielder Antonio Blanco — an echo of a similar situation the club faced previously with Luis Rioja and Valencia.
According to reporting in Spain, contact took place a few days ago between the sporting directorates of Alavés and Hull City over the contractual situation of Ángel Pérez. The newly promoted Yorkshire club have received around €170million through television rights, sporting incentives and sponsorship agreements since securing promotion to the Premier League, and recently paid Rayo Vallecano €25million for the transfer of defender Nobel Mendy.
Hull City are looking to strengthen their right-wing options, with the names in circulation including Pérez, Yeremay Hernández of Deportivo de La Coruña, and Pablo García of Real Betis.
Alavés's sporting department is monitoring developments closely and has contingency plans in place should Pérez depart for English football, though the club's stance remains clear: without an outgoing sale, there will be no incoming arrival to replace him.
Pérez, who is under contract until 2031, has been producing excellent form at Mendizorroza. He arrived during the January transfer window and quickly took on a prominent role, helping supporters move past the departure of Carlos Vicente, who left for Birmingham City around the same time.
The situation reflects a broader pattern of concern inside the Mendizorroza offices: whenever a player begins to stand out, he inevitably enters the sights of clubs with greater financial firepower.
Midfielder Sergio Fernández has himself been fielding interest from clubs in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain in recent weeks, though contact from admirers is a very different matter from a concrete offer. On Tuesday, at the presentation of Antonio Sivera's contract renewal, sporting director Sergio Fernández is expected to face further questions on all of these ongoing situations.