1 week ago
15
Bayern Munich interested
©TM/IMAGO
Nico Williams has committed his future to Athletic Club after intense speculation that he would depart for Barcelona this summer. The Catalan giants identified the Spanish international as their priority target ahead of next season and journalists close to Barca have insisted the deal was a formality. But Williams has put pen to paper on an eight-year extension until 2035 and he will remain at his boyhood club next season.
After progressing through the Basque club’s youth academy, Williams has played 167 games for Athletic Club and provided 61 goal contributions. It was widely expected that he would leave Bilbao this summer with his release clause €58m but that’s now increased to around €90m after his extension. After signing his new deal, Williams said: “ When it comes to making decisions the most important thing to do is listen to your heart. This is the place where I want to be, with my people. This is my home."
Nico Williams leaves Barcelona devastated
It’s no secret that Barcelona chased Williams heavily but there’s a sense of deja vu after the 22-year-old also rejected a move last summer. It’s understood that Williams wanted a resolution to his future before returning for pre-season training next week with Athletic Club but Barcelona were unable to pay his release clause in full.
Barcelona’s financial problems over the last few years are well-documented and they’ve faced extreme difficulties in registering players. Barca’s wage bill was too big for LaLiga rules last summer and they couldn’t register Dani Olmo initially before after an appeal. Williams, however, is on a substantial salary at Athletic and Barca wouldn’t have been able to register him without offloading players. Bayern Munich were also interested in signing Williams this summer and able to afford him but he will remain in Bilbao.
