Robin Bairner
Nico Williams, Athletic Club, 2024/25
© IMAGO
Nico Williams is expected to leave Athletic Club in the summer, yet with January transfer window looming, there are reports of a desperate club lining up to land the Spain international.
PSG are said to be weighing up an immediate move for Nico Williams, with the Ligue 1 leaders known to be seeking to recruit another winger in a bid to pep up and attack that has rather misfired since Kylian Mbappe left on a free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer.
A string of clubs are known to be interested in the Euro 2024 hero, with Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea seeking to sign the 22-year-old winger, who has also been associated with Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United. Barcelona followed Nico Williams closely in the summer, yet their interest has waned in recent weeks.
It’s PSG who have taken the initiative with regards signing the Athletic Club star ahead of January, according to El Nacional, which reports that the Parc des Princes side are ready to match the player’s release fee, which is widely reported to be set at €58 million.
Nico to reject PSG?
For PSG, there is a catch, with the Bilbao side confident that Nico Williams will not be leaving in January.
The report states: “Despite the rumours and PSG 's interest, Athletic Club are keeping their cool.
“Club sources say that Nico Williams has made clear on several occasions his desire to continue wearing the red and white shirt, at least for now. This commitment to the team, added to his key role in the sporting project, is the main reason why the sporting management is not considering his departure.
“In addition, the Basque club is firm in its policy of not negotiating for its players, which means that any interested team will have to pay the full clause.”
Athletic, however, should fear that a bid from PSG could act as a catalyst for others to move early for Nico Williams, who continues to be rated as one of Europe’s most exciting wingers, despite scoring only two goals in 23 appearances for the Bilbao outfit this season.