REAL MADRID
Real Madrid enter the race to sign Spain forward Nico Williams
Several of Europe’s top clubs are interested in signing the Athletic Club forward.
Nico Williams’ contract with Athletic Club expires in seven months’ time and several top clubs are keeping an eye on his situation. Among those interested are several Premier League sides, as well as Barcelona and, as AS can report, Real Madrid. Madrid have joined the list of clubs that have the Pamplona-born forward on their radar.
Real Madrid’s interest
The delicate financial situation at Barcelona makes it almost impossible for them to compete in the race to sign Williams, while Madrid’s main argument is their healthy situation and the possibility of a fee that would satisfy Athletic, in line with the player’s current termination clause (€50 million).
The signing of Nico Williams is seen as an interesting option at the Bernabéu. At just 21, he has already established himself as one of the best attacking talents in Spanish football and is a permanent fixture in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squads.
Manchester City and Liverpool have also expressed an interest, however, the winger’s priority would be to stay in Spain and if he has to choose between Madrid and Barça, his first choice would be Madrid.
Athletic look to renew
Athletic are working against the clock to try to secure the renewal of their star player before the end of 2023 and avoid him leaving next summer on a free (on 1 January he could sign for another club). At the moment, his clause is €50 million and the Bilbao club wanted to raise it. However, as time passes, the clause is likely to remain the same.
Williams opens up on future
The Spanish international is not hiding amid the speculation. In quotes from El Periódico de España on Tuesday, he said: “That big teams like Barça, Madrid and clubs in England are watching me means that I’m doing my job well. I’m clear about the decision I want to make, but in the end, it’s something that my representatives, who have been with me since I was 11, are in charge of. And there are my parents and my brother. We’ll see, but I’m very calm.”
Williams is clear that having his brother Iñaki and his family in Bilbao, he will never leave San Mamés without financially compensating the club that has looked after him and watched him grow since he was a kid.
These statements come hours after his agent warned the club that he is in the last few months of his contract and that “the club knows what the player’s approach is, what he wants.”
Félix Tainta added: “The club must listen to the player and try to reach an agreement that is good for both parties, always on the basis that in a few months, his contract is up, let’s not forget that”.