Athletic Club winger Nico Williams is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents in Europe currently, and the 21-year-old is likely to attract interest this summer, despite renewing his deal late last year.
However Athletic are unconcerned by the incessant links to an exit. They have signed Alvaro Djalo and are hoping to secure the renewal of Alex Berenguer too, who told the press on Wednesday night that Athletic remain his number one option. However they are hoping to hang onto Williams.
🚨 Xavi is obsessed with Nico Williams and considers him a priority target to reinforce the team in the summer. Once the new pivot is signed, the club will go after Nico. @alexpintanel 🇪🇦 pic.twitter.com/OEKWVLq3Lu
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 16, 2024
His release clause is around €55m, and Marca say that they have already rejected two approaches for Williams, telling the clubs in question that there will be no negotiations, and only his release clause paid in full will see him leave the club. Barcelona have been heavily linked with Williams too, but the same source categorises their chances of signing him as ‘impossible’, citing their inability to do just that.
Williams was a target for Aston Villa last summer, who offered to pay his release clause and double his salary, but he decided to stay. He also declared shortly after they won the Copa del Rey in April that he would be at Athletic for ‘many more years’. With Ernesto Valverde leading the way, Athletic will bid for a Champions League spot next season, which could be an enticing prospect for the Spain international, as coud the prospect of Europa League too.
