Nico Williams, a winger for Athletic Club, is being pursued by Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich this summer, but there are still no assurances that he will leave his boyhood club because of the complex financial terms of a possible deal.
To ward off growing interest from Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, Athletic Club is eager to extend Nico Williams’ contract. The Basque team’s president, Jon Uriarte, aims to retain the Euro 2024 winner past the summer transfer window, but he is aware that it may be challenging because Williams is currently regarded as one of Europe’s most sought-after commodities.
Williams is regarded by Arsenal as their top wide target, and it is already known that Andrea Berta, the recently hired sporting director, has discussed a possible swoop with the player’s agent Felix Tainta. However, Williams’ sizable release clause and the attractive compensation deal he would want to leave his boyhood club are the main points of contention for Arsenal and other interested parties.
The 22-year-old’s release clause is worth £48.5 million (€58 million) plus taxes, making the entire package around £51 million (€60 million). Athletic Club has made it clear that the clause must be fulfilled in full up front rather than in installments.
Although sources have emphasised that there are presently no active talks or negotiations between the parties considering an extension, Bilbao director Uriarte also intends to provide Williams and his representatives the opportunity to begin formal contract discussions. At the end of the season, the dribbling sensation, who signed his contract in late 2023, will have two years left on it.
Although Williams is still Barcelona’s top priority, their continuous financial difficulties make it extremely difficult for them to negotiate a deal unless they can generate a lot of wriggle room. Deco, the director of Sporting, has a close relationship with Luis Diaz’s Colombian agency, As1, and is a huge fan of the Colombian.
As he looks to end the season on a high note, the Spain international is reportedly quite laid back about his future and does not want any distractions. Athletic Club is on track to qualify for the Champions League the next season and is currently ranked fourth in La Liga.
Bilbao is hopeful that Williams will remain at the club for at least another year because his older brother, Inaki, is also expected to be named club captain for the 2025–2026 season. The Europa League final will take place in San Mames on May 21, and the Basque nation is obsessed with the idea of winning a European trophy at home. Theoretically, winning the Copa del Rey the previous season would be the ideal way for Williams to end his career if he were to explore a new endeavour in the upcoming months.
Chelsea, who had the quick forward on their radar back in 2023, may yet join the battle. Aston Villa also made an attempt to sign the highly sought-after attacker that summer, and Unai Emery even travelled to the Basque Country to speak with Williams in private. However, despite rumours that Villa was prepared to activate the release clause, his efforts were unsuccessful. In earlier contract negotiations, Williams and his team made it apparent that they were afraid of being priced out of a move if they included an unrealistic buy-out clause.
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