Nico Williams rejects FOUR offers as ‘leak’ reveals Spain ace’s next move

Robin Bairner

• 5 Sept 2024 14:13 BST
• 3 min read

Nico Williams starred for Spain at Euro 2024, turning in a string of devastating performances that not only led to his country winning the competition, but also saw the Athletic Club ace linked with a string of Europe’s biggest clubs.

FootballTransfers revealed before the competition started with an exclusive report that Arsenal were willing to trigger his release fee of €58 million if a contract could be agreed with the player, while after the tournament rumours of a switch to Barcelona ramped up.

Now El Nacional has revealed the state of play, with Nico Williams having already made up his mind about his future.

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Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

€49.6M

ETV Range

€37.2M - €62M

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Athletic have offered the 22-year-old a new contract, according to the report. While this would give Nico Williams a greater wage, it would also see his release clause increased, potentially jeopardising his next move. As such, this has been knocked back.

Interest, meanwhile, has come and been turned down from Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG, the Catalan source reports.

Instead, Nico Williams is “clear” that he wants to move to Barcelona next summer, where he could hook up with close friend Lamine Yamal. A deal would surely have been brokered this summer had it not been for Barca’s financial problems and the prospect of playing the Europa League final at Athletic Clubs San Mames.

The report states: “The good start to the campaign for those at Camp Nou in these first weeks of the season have put an end to any possible doubts.”

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Barcelona already in ‘constant contact’

Talks between Barcelona and Nico Williams are already well established, the source claims.

“It has been leaked the Williams is in constant contact with president Joan Laporta and Deco to agree on the contract he signs,” El Nacional claims. “Not even the excellent form of Raphinha is having has made them forget about him.”

Barcelona are expected to have few issues raising the €58m required to trigger the release clause of one of the game’s hottest properties.