July 11th 2024.
Nico Williams, the talented winger for Athletic Bilbao, has been making headlines as one of the standout stars of Euro 2024. However, his success on the field has also brought about constant questioning about his future. This has not gone unnoticed by Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte, who has spoken out against the unrelenting bombardment of inquiries surrounding Williams' potential transfer.
Last season, Williams had a remarkable performance with Athletic, scoring five goals and providing 11 assists in La Liga. He has carried this impressive form into the European Championships, where he has continued to shine. Alongside Lamine Yamal, the 21-year-old has added a new dimension to Spain's attack, making him a highly sought-after target for top teams across Europe.
Barcelona and Arsenal have both expressed interest in Williams, while recent reports from Spain suggest that Chelsea have approached his representatives for a potential move to Stamford Bridge. Despite all the attention, Williams has remained focused and determined to block out any distractions, especially with Spain preparing for the highly anticipated Euro 2024 final against England in just three days.
"I have made it clear to my family and agent that I do not want to hear anything about outside rumors or transfers," Williams shared in an interview with AS last week. "They know me well and my personality - I prefer to concentrate on one thing at a time and give it my all. If I start thinking about other things, my mind doesn't work as well."
Williams, who still has three years left on his contract with Athletic, also revealed that he does speak a little bit of English when asked. However, Athletic's president Uriarte is confident that the club can keep hold of the young star, despite the potential for a hefty transfer fee.
While Athletic may have the upper hand in negotiations, they are determined to keep Williams for at least another season and have turned down offers from other teams. In a fiery statement, Uriarte expressed his frustration with the constant questioning of Williams' future and accused the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) of not protecting the player from this unnecessary pressure.
"Nico is fully committed to Athletic Bilbao," Uriarte stated. "However, he has been bombarded with questions about his future while representing his country at Euro 2024. The RFEF has failed to protect him from this constant speculation."
Uriarte also emphasized Athletic's determination to retain their key players, stating that the club's philosophy does not involve putting public pressure on contracted players from other teams to join them. He highlighted the recent contract renewals of players like Unai Simon, Vivian, Benat Prados, Oihan Sancet, Julen Agirrezabala, and Aitor Paredes, as proof of Athletic's winning project and ability to retain top players like Williams.
In conclusion, while there may be interest from other teams, Athletic Bilbao is confident in their ability to keep Nico Williams and other talented players in their squad. They are focused on achieving success on and off the field, without putting pressure on players from other clubs. And as Williams and Yamal continue to impress on the international stage, Athletic remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of football.
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