Nico Williams Is At Athletic Bilbao

He decided to stay, he not comeing barcelona the team. Athletic Club has not needed grandiloquent statements to announce one of the most strategic renewals in its history. A video, a wall and a can of spray paint have been enough. In the scene, Nico Williams —camouflaged under a black hood— paints a

resounding “2035” on the Barakaldo mural, the very one that was targeted by ultras for fear of his departure. It is the same mural where he appears with his brother Iñaki. The symbol that was erased… is back to stay.

Playing alongside his older brother Inaki Williams, Nico emerged through the Basque side’s youth ranks to become a star performer, netting 31 goals over his five seasons with the first team.

The 22-year-old had been widely expected to join the Catalan giants this summer, with personal terms reportedly agreed after meetings with his camp and the club.

“When it comes to making decisions, for me, the most important thing is to listen to your heart,” Williams said. “I am where I want to be, with my people. This is my home.”

The red and white winger will stay the next ten seasons at the club of his heart and his release clause increase more than 50% over the previous one.

Instead, they were left stunned by the announcement of his renewal until 2035, a decision that has thrown the club’s summer transfer plans into turmoil and left the board reeling.

“When it comes to making decisions, what matters most to me is my heart. I’m where I want to be, with my people. This is my home. Aupa Athletic!” declared Nico Williams, proudly wearing the Athletic jersey with the Champions League logo, firmly shutting the door on a move to Barça.

Instead, they were left stunned by the announcement of his renewal until 2035, a decision that has thrown the club’s summer transfer plans into turmoil and left the board reeling.

“When decisions have to be made, for me, what weighs most is my heart. I am where I want to be, with my family, this is my home,” said Williams. “Go Athletic!”

Had they signed Williams it is likely that Barcelona would have been required to sell several players in order to register him. Marcus Rashford, who is out of favour at United and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, has previously been linked with the Catalan club.

“Athletic Club and Nico Williams have reached an agreement to extend his contract, which ended in 2027, for eight seasons, until June 30, 2035.

An ecstatic Williams said: “When it comes to making decisions, for me, what weighs most is the heart.

: “But Barça also have to wait because of Madridist Tebas, who is under pressure from Bilbao. If I were his agent, I wouldn’t be in such a hurry… Haste is never good, especially if it’s Tebas who’s doing everything

possible to mess with Barça. Caaaaalma. Nico wants it more than ever, Barça want it… Nico will be a blaugrana this season. Hang in there, Nico! Don’t let the pressure from Bilbao, Tebas, and your agent ruin your dream of being a culer.”