It's surely one of the summer's soap operas. For over a year, Nico Williams has been ardently courted by FC Barcelona . Author of a sparkling Euro 2024 with Spain, the left winger was in the sights of the Catalans who already wanted to sign him last year. Finally, the recruitment of Dani Olmo had so dented their finances that an arrival of the Bilbao striker had become impossible in the summer of 2024. Not enough to dampen the blaugrana's ardor.
With this in mind, we exclusively revealed that numerous meetings had recently taken place between the player's representatives and the Catalan board. These discussions were fruitful, as, according to our indiscretions, these meetings ultimately resulted in a preliminary contractual agreement between the various parties. With this lease, Nico Williams, who would receive €12 million per year, would then be tied to FC Barcelona until 2031 with a six-year contract. But Bilbao doesn't see it that way, and no gifts will be given to the Spanish champion.
Bilbao plays its final card!
Therefore, if FC Barcelona wants to land the 22-year-old player, they will have to pay the €58 million release clause in one lump sum and without any staggered payments. Furthermore, Sport reported this Saturday that the Basque club has not completely lost hope of keeping their protégé. The Spanish media outlet states that Bilbao wants to play one last card to try to convince the Pamplona native to stay. A gamble based on the emotional aspect. Indeed, Bilbao is currently banking on the Williams family's love and affection for the club to keep the player.
While Iñaki Williams, the eldest of the siblings, was decisive last summer in his brother's final choice, the 1.81m right-hander's mother also worked to keep her son at San Mamés. A strategy that Athletic Bilbao therefore wishes to repeat, while adding an extension offer and a big salary increase to the key. Finally, the last 4th of La Liga also trusts Félix Tainta, the player's agent, who has always managed to maintain a balance between defending the interests of his clients and respecting Athletic. Is this enough to prevent the departure of the Spanish international (28 caps, 6 goals)? Nothing is less certain, but Bilbao is trying everything.
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