Athletic Club forward Nico Williams has explained why he turned down transfer interest from Barcelona last summer, choosing instead to stay with his boyhood club and the “family” atmosphere it provides.
Williams, who has spent his entire career at Athletic, plays alongside his older brother, Inaki, with the two brothers becoming fan favorites for their electrifying pace and dynamic partnership. While Inaki, 30, may be past his peak, Nico, eight years his junior, has emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after wingers. His impressive performance, including scoring the opening goal in Spain’s Euro 2024 final win over England, only increased his value in the transfer market.
Barcelona came closest to securing Williams’ signature, with a deal seemingly on the brink of completion last summer before the player had a change of heart. Despite frequent links to Arsenal and other top clubs, Williams decided to stay at Athletic, where he feels a strong connection to the club’s culture.
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In a recent interview with L’Equipe, Williams reflected on his decision, describing Athletic as “my family.” He added, “The relationship we have within the club is incredible. The atmosphere here is something I don’t think I’ll experience anywhere else. At that moment, I made the decision I thought was right, and I’m happy with it.”
In addition to his international success with Spain, which included winning their first major men’s tournament since 2012, Williams helped Athletic end a 40-year trophy drought by starring in their Copa del Rey final victory over Mallorca.
After a slow start to the current season, likely impacted by his international commitments and the transfer speculation surrounding him, Williams has found his best form again, reigniting interest from several clubs. Reports suggest that the winger is now “more open” to a Premier League move, leaving behind his previous preference for staying in mainland Europe. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur all remain interested in the 21-year-old.
However, Barcelona is no longer pursuing Williams, having instead signed Dani Olmo as an alternative last summer.
