Athletic Bilbao have tied Nico Williams down to a long term contract.placeholder image
Athletic Bilbao have tied Nico Williams down to a long term contract. | Getty Images
Athletic Bilbao have pulled off a head-turning coup with a key contract extension agreed.
The Spain international looked set to leave the club after 12 years moving up from the youth academy. Williams has made 167 appearances for the Bilbao first team.
The Premier League giants were credited with interest but it was FC Barcelona who appeared to be frontrunners in the race for the player’s signature this summer. Williams was reported to have a £53 million release clause in his previous contract.
Arsenal and Chelsea interested in Spanish winger
The Gunners are in the market for additions on the flank and have been linked with West Ham man Mohammed Kudus and Chelsea star Noni Madueke. With the latter set to leave, that would allow the Blues to bring in a fresh winger too.
Metro carried reports of interest from the two top flight sides last month, with Bayern Munich also named as potential suitors. Barcelona were understood to have agreed personal terms with Williams before he signed the new Bilbao deal.
The forward’s previous contract was set to expire in 2027 but will now run until June 2035. Williams’ release clause has also increased by 50%, which would allow an exit for around £80 million.
A move to Barcelona had seemed imminent with Bilbao saying that they had met with La Liga to discuss Barcelona’s ability to sign players amid financial issues. Fans of the club had also erased the player from a mural featuring him and brother Inaki.
Nico Williams signs new Athletic Bilbao contract
A club statement on Friday read: “This renewal marks a milestone in the red and white history and endorses a path already started by other teammates such as Unai Simón, Oihan Sancet, Dani Vivian, Mikel Jauregizar, Beñat Prados or Ernesto Valverde himself... And, of course, his brother Iñaki Williams, the captain of this team that is already historic and generational.
“Ambitious Lions who not only want to win, but also want to do it with Athletic, with their beloved team, aware that in football, the greater the difficulty, the greater the merit of the victory, #UniqueInTheWorld.”
Williams said: "When it comes to making decisions, for me, the most important thing is to listen to your heart. I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home. Aupa Athletic!”
The winger was part of the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament and the 2025 Europa League Team of the Season. He has been named the La Liga Player of the Month twice, in August 2023 and December 2023.
The Bilbao forward was one of the stars of Euro 2024 and earned praise from former Premier League manager Jose Mourinho for his exploits. Mourinho went as far as to suggest that Williams’ potential exceeded that of wonderkid Lamine Yamal, in quotes that will be enticing for Gunners supporters.
He said: “During the European Championship, people were talking a lot about Lamine Yamal, who is obviously another wonderful kid, but I personally prefer Nico. He’s a fantastic player. You can’t think that a Turkish club can sign the boy. I hope he ends up at Real Madrid.”
In other news, Arsenal to cancel contract of £30m player Mikel Arteta has described as 'tremendous asset'.
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