Nico Williams makes final transfer decision to keep promise

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 29 Jul 2024 18:17 BST
• 4 min read

Nico Williams has been linked with a move to several major clubs this summer, including Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea and Arsenal, making him one of the most coveted players in the transfer market.

It has been the LaLiga outfit, though, who have been leading the race for the Spain international forward, with all the indications suggesting that they are willing to make his release clause, which sits at around €58 million.

The Athletic Club winger, though, appears poised to remain with the Basque club, with multiple stories in Spain breaking that have poured doubt on his willingness to move to Barca this summer.

READ MORE: Arsenal believe Barcelona CANNOT afford Nico Williams

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

€45.6M

ETV Range

€34.2M - €57M

View full profile

Daniel Sobis, who covers LaLiga in Poland, broke the news on Sunday, reporting on X: “Nico Williams will still be an Athletic player in the 2024/25 season.”

Barcelona-based sports publication Sport, meanwhile, is not so emphatic but does cast doubt on the winger’s move.

According to its report, Nico Williams, who was Player of the Match in the Euro 2024 final, has promised brother Inaki that he would play one more season together in Europe for Athletic. In order to fulfil that, he cannot leave this summer.

FootballTransfers, meanwhile, has previously revealed how much Arsenal want to sign Nico, while Chelsea have also been desperate to acquire the player. Both are set to be left disappointed.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal open transfer talks to sign Euro 2024 star Fabian Ruiz

Barcelona rocked by Nico Williams

The news promises to be a devastating blow to Barcelona’s summer plans, which have been hampered by the club’s ongoing financial problems.

Indeed, it would be little surprise if these were the root cause of Nico Williams’ decision to stay put. Arsenal, after all, believe that the Blaugrana cannot afford to sign Nico Williams.

Publicly, this is a more appetising way for Barcelona fans to find out the bad news. President Joan Laporta, after all, has been bullish over the fact that the club can afford to sign him.

The Spain winger is known to want to stay in his homeland, but if Barca cannot afford his transfer fee – plus his significant wages of €10m per year – there are no other options. That appears to currently be the case.

At 22, there is no rush for him to leave Athletic Club and experience another adventure, with Barcelona having the opportunity to try again next season.

In the meantime, the door is open for Arsenal, Chelsea or PSG to make Nico Williams a forceful offer.