Beloki set for Netcompany Ineos as Lidl-Trek interest in Arrieta adds transfer twist
The Giro d'Italia's third rest day on Monday brought movement on two of the more interesting Spanish stories in the 2027 transfer market. AS, through journalist Marco González, reports that Markel Beloki is set to join Netcompany Ineos for 2027 and that Igor Arrieta has decided to explore the market after his stage win in Potenza.
Beloki has been one of the revelations of this Giro. The 20-year-old from Vitoria-Gasteiz, son of three-time Tour de France podium finisher Joseba Beloki, had looked on course for a top-10 overall finish before losing ground on stage 14 to Pila.
Both AS and Marca report that Beloki has agreed a three-year deal with Netcompany Ineos from 2027, with his current contract at EF Education-EasyPost due to expire at the end of this season.
The move would fit neatly into Ineos’ apparent Spanish-focused rebuild. Carlos Rodríguez is already tied down until 2027, while Benjamín Noval is also expected to arrive that year. Jhonatan Narváez has also been repeatedly linked with a return to his former team, adding further depth to a squad increasingly looking toward Spanish-speaking talent.
It also matches the wider message coming from inside the team. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Geraint Thomas said Netcompany Ineos are “simply trying to strengthen ourselves and improve constantly”, with a particular focus on “young riders who can win Grand Tours”.
Beloki’s appeal is clear. He has shown climbing promise throughout the Giro and finished second in the Spanish national time trial championships during his first professional season. That blend of climbing ability and time-trial potential is precisely the profile Ineos have traditionally valued.
Arrieta’s situation is less straightforward.
The 23-year-old claimed his first Grand Tour stage victory on stage 5 to Potenza and has emerged as one of the standout riders in UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s reshaped Giro squad. Despite having a renewal offer on the table, AS reports that Arrieta has now decided to assess his options.
Lidl-Trek are understood to be leading the chase. A move there in 2027 would reunite Arrieta with Juan Ayuso, who left UAE for Lidl-Trek ahead of 2026 on a five-year contract. The pair raced together at UAE between 2024 and 2025 and remain close.
Earlier this month, Marca reported that Arrieta’s preference was to stay with UAE, with talks expected to accelerate after the Giro. Lidl-Trek’s interest, however, adds a new twist to the talks.
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