Chelsea and Arsenal have shown keen interest in Athletic star Nico Williams this summer.
On July 2nd, Mundo Deportivo reported the Blues are pushing to sign the winger with a tempting offer, but his preference is to join Barcelona.
A day later, AS said Arsenal have joined Chelsea in the bidding and the Gunners have tabled an offer to secure the 21-year-old’s services.
Williams and his Athletic teammate Unai Simón are currently part of the Spain squad at the Euros, where they have made it to the semi-final.
The goalkeeper was a guest on Radio Nacional de España’s Tablero Deportivo, where he stated that he isn’t surprised with the recent reports linking his compatriot to Chelsea, Arsenal or Barcelona, and his comments are relayed by Estadio Deportivo.
Williams managed eight goals and 19 assists for the La Liga side last season and has extended his good run with the national team at the Euros, which hasn’t gone unnoticed. Therefore, the stopper says it’s normal that he’s been linked to Chelsea, Arsenal and other clubs.
“Nico can play wherever he wants and that’s what he’s going to do. Well, honestly, I think it’s normal that you hear all these rumours that Nico can go to Barca, that he can go to Chelsea, to Arsenal… It’s normal that you hear that because Nico is a player who right now could play in most teams in the world because of what he is showing in this Euros, because of the growth that Athletic have had this season and because he is very decisive in many situations,” he said.
Estadio claim Williams has a €58m release clause. Even though this could be within the reach of the two London clubs, the 27-year-old goalkeeper hopes that his teammate’s future is likely to be at Athletic.
“So far he’s an Athletic player. I really enjoy watching him in the Athletic shirt, I enjoy him in the Spanish national team shirt and I really enjoy sharing a dressing room with him,” Simón explained.
“From then on, there will be news, hoaxes…. The press in the summer, when there is no football, is dedicated to talking about the transfer market and it’s normal that these things happen.”
“Nico has a contract with Athletic until 2027, he is an Athletic player, he is very happy at home and I see him as a lad with very clear ideas about his future.”
