.png)
2 months ago
19 ARTICLE AD
Athletic Club are watching with concern as they could lose Nico Williams this summer, with strong interest from FC Barcelona.
At the beginning of the summer, things were calm, but now there is a lot of uncertainty, with the movements that are taking place in the wake of the 2024 European Championship.
Nico renewed with Athletic until 2027 but retained an affordable exit clause of €58 million. Despite this escape route, there was certainty at the Basque club that the Spaniard’s continuity, for at least one more season, was assured.
But things have changed, with Barcelona going all out in their efforts to try and sign the 22-year-old winger, Athletic Club are growing concerned even as they still hope to convince him to stay.
Pressure tactic?
As such, Athletic Club have made a new gesture in their effort to try and convince Nico Williams to stay put and not leave for Barcelona, reports SPORT.
Even though he was not part of the unveiling, Williams is the star of Athletic’s new shirt campaign for next season.
In the club shop window, he is the name that can be seen the most on the red and blue kits with the number 11 on the back and his name.
Athletic Club are trying hard to convince Nico to stay. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)Nico is the great idol of the Athletic fans. At 22 years of age, he has won over the fans and, like with the Spanish national team, the youngsters look up to him as a role model. And, the departure of Nico Williams would be very significant for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Athletic’s gestures to make him forget about Barça’s offer are continuous but it is becoming more and more difficult to convince him to continue.
The attacker also has interest from the Premier League but that avenue appears to be off the table.
Now everything seems to indicate that these are the only two options for Nico: to continue one more year in the team of his heart or to bet on being the face of a team like Barça that wants to be powerful again.
