Ernesto Valverde 'challenges' FC Barcelona with the signing of Nico Williams

The possible signing of Nico Williams by the FC Barcelona is one of the subjects more 'hot' of the moment. The Barcelona entity has him like the big priority of the market of signings and already move to concretise his landing in the City Condal. However, the Athletic Club of Bilbao keeps firm in his position and expect to retain to the footballer, at least, a season more, as it has left clear his trainer, Ernesto Valverde.

The ex Barcelona technician attended to the media in press conference for the first time in the season 2024/25 and left clear that has the extreme for the start of the pre-season. "We have he for the turn to the training (on 12 August), is happy with us and we are happy with him", manifested 'Txingurri'.

"We aspire to have to the best players and that the players want to be with us. It is a year with a lot of illusion for us. Have very good team and aspire to improve it. It occurs also in the case of Unai, Iñaki… Want to compete in all the tournaments. It has showed that it can be one of the best being player of teams like the Real, the Athletic… can do a big year. It is a year that have a lot of challenges by in front. Sure that it loves him what has by in front, see him well and happy", continued.

The appearance of Valverde was copada by the future of Nico, by what the trainer insisted in the positivism of the club with the continuity of the player. "Already I know that it has to be very important, but can not be repeating always the same. We are convinced. Nico has agreement, is with us, we are happy with him and expect him to start with to train the day stipulated", adding between laughs that "commanded me some message to ask me more holidays… He, Unai Simón, Dani…".

It trusts fully in his stay

Ernesto kept firm and left clear that does not think that the possibility that Williams was still in the Athletic goes difuminando with the step of the time. "No, I do not see it. Like club aspire to have to the best players and that the players want to be with us. This year we have a year very ilusionante. Have very good team and if we can improve it, improve it. That there are other teams that can them to want to, to Unai Simón, to Nico, to Iñaki, to the that was… Aspire to that they want to follow and we can surrender in all the competitions", manifested.

"It has showed that being in the Athletic, in the Real or in other clubs can go to the selection, can be one of the best players of the Eurocopa and can do a big year. It is a year in which have a lot of challenges by in front, sure that to Nico loves him have them in front, in this sense do not have any doubt, see him well and happy", added.

Finally, it referred to the rumours that surround to the footballer, but 'resolved' when sustaining that Nico is in the plans of the team. "I do not think that it was the only player affected by the rumours, there are other players because it is the open market until finals of August. Obviously we know that Nico is a big player and can that it publish that there are clubs that can interest them, but is with us, we are very happy with him and he is happy with us", concluded