It was a choice, and he took responsibility for it, even though his salary could have doubled. The whirling Nico Williams refused to leave Athletic after his European title with Spain, passing up the opportunity to join a European club better suited to his ambitions. However, there was no shortage of suitors this summer for the left winger of La Roja, elusive on his wing with three goals in Germany, including one against England in the final, and two assists.
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Fifth season with Athletic
FC Barcelona made their interest in the 22-year-old player known and even seemed very well placed to pocket the stake at the end of July. But they were unable to afford the player, ultimately falling back on his compatriot Dani Olmo, who was registered late. Nico Williams was also on Paris Saint-Germain’s radar, along with Lamine Yamal. Luis Campos had added him to his short-list to compensate for the departure of Kylian Mbappé. But nothing that could have influenced his position was presented to him.
In total, according to Marca, the player refused offers this summer from three different clubs willing to pay his release clause estimated at 58 million euros. The Madrid-based daily does not reveal the names of these three clubs but assures that FC Barcelona is not one of them. In any case, the player’s attitude was very much appreciated by the Basque leaders who will be able to count on the youngster for at least one more season, the fifth since his professional debut.
Under contract until 2027, Nico Williams was attracted by the prospect – still very distant – of playing in the Europa League final at San Mames, the stadium of his training club, next year. The draw for the League phase was rather lenient with Athletic. His eight opponents will be AS Roma, AZ Alkmaar, Slavia Prague, Ludogorets Razgrad, Elfsborg Boras, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Viktoria Plzen.
- RMC Sport
