The Baskonia has intensified negotiations to try to close the signing of Chimezie Metu, a power forward who also has an offer from Barcelona to continue in the Liga Endesa. The player, who finished the season at Gran Canaria, is one of the most coveted pieces on the market due to his athleticism, his EuroLeague experience, and his status as a non-EU player thanks to his Nigerian passport.
According to reports from Javier Maestro, Baskonia's offer would be superior financially to Barcelona's. In Vitoria, they see Metu as an important player for the new project and as the natural replacement for Mamadi Diakite, who is heading to Dubai BC after triggering his exit clause.
Metu comes off a difficult few months at Gran Canaria, in a season marked by the island club's relegation after 31 consecutive campaigns in the ACB. Despite this, his profile continues to have significant market appeal: he can stretch the floor, play near the basket, and bring experience in high-level competition.
The passport factor also weighs on the deal. Baskonia already has Markus Howard and Ben Simmons as non-EU players, so signing a non-EU player like Metu would allow them to strengthen the roster without taking up a crucial spot in the Liga Endesa.
Pending a final agreement, Baskonia appears determined to push for a player who is also of interest to Barcelona and who could become one of the major moves in the ACB market.