Despite the fact that the summer 2024/25 transfer market closed last Friday, August 30th at 23:59, there is still a topic that, anecdotally, remains on the table: the future of Nico Williams at Athletic Club. An issue that seemed to have been settled with his stay at the Basque team for this season, but has recently sparked debate with new angles.
This topic has gained special relevance after the recent statements from the Pamplona left winger. Why? Despite the forward reaffirming his commitment to the San Mamés team time and time again, one of his declarations caused a stir, especially when asked about the possible renewal of his contract with the club: "It has been proven that I am here happily, my representative handles those things, I have decided to stay here another year and I am going to enjoy playing European competitions."
That "another year" has apparently sown some uncertainty within the Bilbao team. Recently, the president of the Basque institution, Jon Uriarte, tried to calm the waters by commenting that "he has already said he loves Athletic and wants to stay here. Despite everything that has come out in the media, he has already shown with actions and words what he wants." However, there are other voices tied to the club's history that take a more pessimistic stance about the possible departure of the left winger next summer.
Javier Clemente's Opinion on the 'Nico Williams Case'
One of those voices was Javier Clemente's, the coach of that legendary Athletic team that achieved the double of League and Cup in the 1983/84 season. Clemente didn't hesitate to weigh in on Nico Williams' future as a player for the 'lions' in an interview with 'Onda Vasca'. "Here we don't know the truth, he didn't lie... Nico Williams said 4-5 times that he'd 'stay a year', so maybe it's true that he's leaving next year, but if Uriarte doesn't specify his contract...", began the Baracaldo native.
In that sense, 'El Rubio de Baracaldo' highlighted the lack of clarity regarding the contract of the younger Williams brother, suggesting that there could be clauses that facilitate his departure next summer. "The kid accepts a new contract with conditions that none of us know, and we thought that when the club said he's not leaving because he renewed, which was very good, as he stays and doesn't leave for free. But then, after being happy to see him renew, those statements come that maybe he's leaving... well, if he says that, it's because he has a termination clause that can be paid, and the club hasn't told us about it", he concluded.
Now, we will have to wait to see what the future holds for the talented 22-year-old left winger, while FC Barcelona is also keeping an eye on the situation. The Catalan club seems to be the favorite to sign the forward if he decides to embark on a new footballing adventure, which could happen next summer, in a market that is shaping up to be quite active around the Pamplona native.