La Liga manager unbothered amid Barcelona’s pursuit of his star: “I’m as calm as before”

Barcelona’s interest in signing Nico Williams this summer is well-documented. The youngster emerged as the team’s top priority immediately after Euro 2024 but things have not quite gone to plan.

Over a month into the market, the youngster is yet to make a decision and is unable to decide between staying at Athletic Club or joining Barcelona.

Word has it that he wants to play one final season with the Basque side, but Barcelona have made it clear that they will not entertain such an option.

Valverde speaks on Williams

Speaking to El Chiringuito earlier this week, Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde commented on the future of the young Basque star and insisted that he was not too worried about the developments.

“I’m as calm as before. The market will close on August 31 and there is still a month to go. I don’t mean just Nico, but we can also improve our team,” he said.

Nico Williams is likely to continue at Athletic Club. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Further elaborating on the noise around Williams’ future, the former Barcelona manager said,

“We will see what happens because every day there is something new in the press but we should not let these things affect us.”

Barcelona are frustrated

After weeks of regularly following up and maintaining contact with his entourage, Barcelona are now growing increasingly frustrated at Nico and his inability to come to a decision.

Despite initially giving promising signs of a transfer, the youngster is backing out at the last minute, leaving the administration stranded with no real movements in the transfer market.

At this point, a final decision from the young winger will go a long way in helping the Catalans plan their next step ahead of what is a crucial season.

Recent reports, in fact, suggest that they are already losing interest in Nico and are moving on to other options.