Nico Williams Rejected Arsenal And PSG To Commit Future To Athletic Club
- Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has rejected summer transfer interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, choosing instead to commit his long-term future to the Basque club.
- Speaking through the Spanish program El Chiringuito, Williams revealed the extent of the interest in his services during recent transfer windows.
- Goal.com and Kooora.com reported that Williams emphasized he told no to everyone in order to remain at San Mamés.
Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has rejected summer transfer interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, choosing instead to commit his long-term future to the Basque club. The 24-year-old Spain international addressed persistent speculation surrounding his career following a 4-0 victory over Getafe, confirming that he turned down multiple major European suitors.
The Rejected Offers From European Suitors
Speaking through the Spanish program El Chiringuito, Williams revealed the extent of the interest in his services during recent transfer windows. According to yallakora.com and maspero.eg, the forward stated that he received and rejected proposals from Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal alongside interest from Barcelona.
Goal.com and Kooora.com reported that Williams emphasized he told no
to everyone in order to remain at San Mamés. The player explained that his decisions are made collectively as a family, involving consultations with his parents and his brother, Athletic teammate Iñaki Williams, rather than being driven by outside pressures.
Contradicting Agent Claims on Past Negotiations
The public clarification followed comments from his representative, Félix Tainta, who previously indicated that negotiations regarding a move to Barcelona during the summer transfer window were at an advanced stage. Tainta had suggested that the deal ultimately collapsed because Barcelona lacked the financial fair play guarantees required to register the player.
NICO WILLIAMS CONFIRMS HE REJECTED ARSENAL! 😳🗣️ Nico Williams: “Apart from Barca, I had offers from PSG and Arsenal, and I rejected them.” The Spanish winger has revealed that he turned down some of Europe's biggest clubs because he wanted to stay at Athletic Club.🔥… pic.twitter.com/Zhj96ya6Ym
Williams publicly disputed his agent’s narrative during his post-match remarks. As reported by Kooora.com, the winger stated that Tainta was mistaken in his comments and that the situation was not as described. Williams maintained that the ultimate authority on his career rests entirely within his family circle.
Long-Term Commitment at Athletic Club
Athletic Club secured the player’s future by extending his contract through June 2035. The agreement included an increase of more than 50% to his previous 58 million euro release clause alongside a higher salary, establishing one of the longest commitments in modern football.
Despite the long-term deal, Williams has experienced a challenging run on the pitch. Following six goals and four assists across all competitions last season, alongside one goal in his first eight appearances of the current campaign, the winger aims to re-establish his decisive impact for the Basque side.
Premier League Links and Future Uncertainty
Uncertainty persists regarding potential future moves as international outlets continue to monitor the forward’s situation. Foot-Africa.com reported that reports from Topskills Sports UK indicated the player remains open to exploring opportunities in England, with Arsenal and Chelsea previously noted as prospective destinations.
Whether English suitors will test Athletic Club’s robust defensive stance given the player’s lengthy contract and substantial release clause remains unanswered. Williams continues his campaign in Bilbao as questions linger over whether the Premier League interest will materialize into formal bids in upcoming windows.