While Movistar’s big riders, Valverde and Quintana, are signed on until 2016, many of their domestiques are without a deal for 2016 and it appears their futures hold the key to the transfer window. Mikel Landa and Rigo Uran have been linked with the team and the Izagirre brothers and Benat Intxausti are reported to be leaving. All three have been linked with Sky.

Cyclingews has spoken to Intxausti and Ion Izagirre at the Tour of Poland and Benat says that while he does want to leave, he isn’t ruling out staying where he is either.

“In principle my idea is to go to another team. We are talking with various teams but I’ve not yet completely ruled out staying here,” Intxausti said.

“We are still talking and haven’t closed any doors yet. Me and Euesbio still have talking to do.”

Ion, who is the big favourite to win the overall in Poland, seems a little more set on remaining with Spain’s only WorldTour squad. But it all depends on what races Movistar allow him to lead the team in.

“There are other teams interested in me and we’ll have to wait a bit, try and do well in Poland, and see what offers come in,” Izagirre told Cyclingnews.

“But in principle my intention is to stay here at Movistar. We’ve not yet come to any sort of agreement but we are still negotiating – we’ll see if there is a good offer and we can stay here.

“I want to be taken into account in certain races. Every team has a big leader, like Nairo or Valverde. If I ride the Vuelta al País Vasco, Paris-Nice, or the Tour with them, I’d have to work. But I also want to have my own opportunities, like I’ve had this year for example at Paris-Nice, the Tour de Suisse and here in Poland. At the end of the day it’s about making the most of my potential.”

Ion has ridden with brother Gorka all his career but Ion says that while they are close, if Gorka leaves he wouldn’t be too sad, as they don’t need to race together and follow largely different programmes anyway, only riding together for 13 race days (Basque Country and Paris-Nice) when both have raced 63 days each.

“We get on well but if he decides to change teams because he thinks he’d be better off elsewhere, then it’s not crucial that we stay together. It’s better because at the end of the day it’s a companion, a brother is not the same as a teammate. I’d prefer, and he also prefers, to stay together but we also have different points of view and different considerations.”