Nico Williams Renew 10 Years Contract With Athletico Bilbao in a Surprise Move

Nico Williams has signed a new contract with Athletic Club until 2035, snubbing Barcelona’s advances to sign him from the Basque side this summer.  This comes as a major shock to the football world, especially considering that Barcelona had appeared to be very close to securing his signature.

What Happened to Barcelona’s Pursuit

Barcelona had been heavily pursuing Williams throughout the summer transfer window. Barça sporting director Deco said recently Williams had shown a strong “desire to join” the Spanish champions, with president Joan Laporta saying they were prepared to pay the winger’s €58 million ($68.3m) release clause.

The deal seemed so advanced that Athletic Club fans had even turned against Williams, with some going as far as defacing a mural featuring the player. However, in a dramatic twist, Williams chose to stay with his boyhood club.

Williams’ Decision

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The 22-year-old Spain international made an emotional decision to remain at Athletic Club, explaining his choice with these words: “When you have to make decisions, for me, what weighs most is the heart. I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home.”

Impact on Barcelona

This decision leaves Barcelona scrambling for alternatives as they had prioritized signing a winger to support Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Barça will now have to pursue other players after Deco told ESPN in May signing a winger to take the load of Yamal and Raphinha was the club’s priority this summer.

The club is now reportedly looking at other targets including Liverpool’s Luis Díaz and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, though both deals would be complicated.

The New Contract Details

Williams’ new deal is an upgrade from his previous contract. Athletic announced an agreement for Williams to pen a new deal, with his clause now “more than 50% more than it was previously.” This means his release clause has increased substantially from the previous €58 million.

This signing is a major victory for Athletic Club, who have managed to keep their star player despite intense pressure from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.