The closing of the transfer market meant the end of one of the most intense soap operas of recent years. Nico Williams' future was in question throughout the summer, with FC Barcelona doing everything possible to incorporate him into their ranks, although finally the Navarrese decided to stay in Bilbao and fulfill his desire to play in Europe with Athletic Club. His contract expires in 2027 and from June 2025 "we'll see", as the Bilbao '10' admitted, because in addition to the Blaugranas, three other clubs were interested in his services and were willing to immediately pay his termination clause, but the player rejected their offers.
The winger refused to try his luck in any of these, where they assured him that he would double his current salary. According to the newspaper 'MARCA', these teams had all the documentation ready to immediately pay the payment of the clause in LaLiga and were only waiting for the green light from the player to undertake the operation. However, Barça was not among these teams, and although they had sent Nico a proposal to try to sign him, they were not in a position to make a quick payment.
Two of these contacts could have come from the Premier League, where Chelsea and Arsenal were on the trail of the player during part of the summer window. The 'blues' wanted to reinforce their left wing and had the arrival of the Pamplona native as a priority, but given the position of the attacker they decided to get Jadon Sancho in the last hours of the market. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta wanted to bolster the 'gunners' offensive with his compatriot, although the striker would have slammed the door in his face.
The youngest of the Williams had a very clear decision and ruled out an exit from San Mamés, repeating what happened last summer. At that time, Aston Villa offered to pay his clause and double his salary, but they also received a refusal from the player. Thus, the Euro 2024 champion will complete his fifth campaign in the first team of the lions, with whom he has accumulated 126 matches.
The Athletic Club plan
Now, with the situation, a priori, under control, the lions will try to extend and improve the contractual relationship with Nico during the season, convinced that they will manage to do so outside the spotlight and without the need to put the footballer in the 'eye of the storm'. The negotiations will start from a common point of honesty, since, just as Athletic Club has had players with a contract agreed, there is the possibility that Williams has also committed to another entity. In the meantime, Barça will wait from the 'shadows' for its opportunity.