Nico Williams has set off all the alarms in Bilbao. The Navarrese winger has said up to four times that he has decided to stay only one more year in the team, which indicates that he could leave Athletic Club in the summer of 2025 and would not lack suitors. One of them would be FC Barcelona, which did everything possible to bring him to Barcelona in 2024, but without much success.
Speaking to the press at San Mamés after the 0-1 defeat against Atlético de Madrid on the fourth day of LaLiga, Williams was emphatic: "I have decided to be here for one more year." The winner of Euro 2024 explained that his heart belongs to Bilbao, but in a burst of honesty, he made it clear that this loyalty would have an expiration date.
Williams leaves his future open
The young winger commented that the decision to stay in Bilbao was made after a conversation with his family: "I went on vacation and a lot of rumors started to come out. Once I landed, I had a chat with my parents and my brother and we decided that it was best to stay for another year,” he explained. These statements are curious, taking into account that he has a contract until 2027 and that there could be an approach from Athletic to extend his commitment and increase his termination clause.
When asked about a possible contract extension, the forward did not want to overcommit: “We are going to enjoy Europe this year, my intention is to win the title. We played the final in San Mamés, we will see.” From there he was in charge of declaring his love for the red and white shield: “My heart is red and white. Everyone knows what Athletic is for me, I have been here since I was eleven years old,” he commented.
Nico was also sincere and pointed out that he hesitated when the proposals from other clubs arrived after his victory with Spain at Euro 2024. “Many teams want you, I have had many offers to do things that another player would have done, but I am happy here, Bilbao is my home.” His family, friends and teammates are part of his large circle of support and Bilbao is where he feels comfortable, because he knows that "not everything is football, football is separate from life," he concluded.
Athletic already have the winger's replacement
The Athletic board knows that it can lose its best player soon, so it has already agreed to sign Robert Navarro, who ends his contract with Real and transferred him to Mallorca, which will be the bridge team for him to arrive in Bilbao in 2025. For now, Williams must focus on his present with the red-and-white club, which until now has not been so good and he must find that spark that he lacks to support his team in goals and assists because Ernesto Valverde needs him more than ever.