Arsenal, Barcelona or Chelsea? Nico Williams announces transfer decision

Tom Weber

Updated: 6 Aug 2024 10:45 BST
3 min read

Nico Williams, Spain, Athletic Club, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Nico Williams has announced that he is looking forward to another season with Athletic Club.

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The Spain star has made his decision without causing much of a fuss. Despite being the subject of one of the summer's most persistent and intense transfer sagas, Williams announced that he will stay at Athletic Club in a low-key video on his side's social media channels.

The European champion returned to training on Tuesday and recorded a short clip in which he announced: "Aupa Athleticzales! I'm back! Can't wait for the new season!"

Williams' decision has been known for some time. Already last week, first reports surfaced claiming that the winger has decided to remain at Athletic for another season. This was eventually confirmed by The Athletic and also reiterated again on Monday.

Now, the 22-year-old has seemingly set his decision in stone. According to Fabrizio Romano, the youngster could even pen a new contract in Bilbao to keep him at his boyhood club long-term.

Williams going nowhere

Williams, of course, had been the subject of intense links to Barcelona and the Premier League after a standout Euro 2024 campaign with Spain. Barcelona had been actively working on a deal to sign him, but could not proceed without the player's green light.

The Blaugrana instead turned their attention to Dani Olmo last week. Sporting director Deco is actually in Leipzig right now to discuss transfer terms with RB Leipzig bosses after an initial bid was rejected. Barcelona will need to pay a whopping €60 million for their former La Masia product.

In the Premier League, Arsenal and Chelsea are known admirers of Williams, but they baulked at the financial package required to sign the winger. In addition to his €58m release clause, they would have had to pay his sizeable wages and commissions.

PSG also took an interest in recent weeks, but their hopes have also been frustrated by his decision to remain in the Basque Country.