Nico Williams reveals what he’s told his agent amid Chelsea and Arsenal transfer links

Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams says he has told his inner circle he does not want to hear about speculation over his future as he gets ‘distracted easily’ and needs to ‘focus’ on Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign.

Williams enjoyed an eye-catching season with Athletic last term, racking up five goals and 11 assists in La Liga, and the winger has taken his barnstorming form into this summer’s European Championship, where his stock continues to rise.

The 21-year-old has arguably been Spain’s standout performer in Germany and his outstanding displays have put him front and centre in the shop window, with Europe’s elite battling it out for his signature this summer.

Barcelona and Arsenal have been credited with a strong interest in Williams – as they look to revamp their attacks for next season – and the latest reports emanating out of Spain claim Chelsea have approached the player’s intermediaries over a proposed switch to Stamford Bridge.

However, Williams is determined to avoid all outside noise and rumour surrounding his future ahead of Spain’s all-important quarter-final clash with tournament hosts Germany in Stuttgart on Friday evening.

‘In the end, my brother [Athletic team-mate Inaki Williams] is a very important person for me . He has lived a similar situation to mine,’ he told Spanish publication AS.

‘He has also had offers from outside Athletic, but I said that I didn’t want to know anything about what comes from outside, about signings or stories.

‘They know what I am like, the personality I have, and I don’t like to know because I get distracted easily. I prefer to focus on one thing and go for it.

‘Because if one thing or another comes to me, in the end my head doesn’t work very well.

‘My agent, my parents and my family know me perfectly and they know that I don’t want to hear anything until the Euros are over.’

Asked whether he speaks English, Williams laughed and replied: ‘A little bit…’

Williams, who has a €55 million (£46.5m) release clause in his contract, is ‘excited’ by the prospect of Athletic playing in a home Europa League final in Bilbao next season but refused to make any assurances over his future.

‘Of course I am excited. But I am focused on the Euros,’ he added.

‘That is a long way off. Next year, nobody knows what will happen.

‘Whatever has to happen, will come.’

Williams is driven by the motivation to become ‘one of the best players’ in his position and that means he is recognised everywhere on the streets, then so be it.

Asked to what extent a successful Euros could change his life, Williams replied: ‘I may be recognised in places where I thought I wouldn’t be. It’s true that life changes.

‘I’ve always said that I’ve played these games at Athletic and they haven’t been seen because we haven’t played European competitions. This year we have.

‘I’ve taken advantage of the opportunity I had, to fulfil another dream, to make myself known. To be able to be or try to be one of the best players in my position.

‘That’s what I try to do every day and what I have to do is continue along this path. It’s going well for me and I have to continue like that.’

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