Nico Williams could be about to complicate Arsenal’s efforts to sign him, with a potential life-long contract at Athletic Bilbao now being considered.
That’s according to Tele Bilbao, relayed by Estadio Deportivo, who say the forward could be set to sign a long-term deal that would effectively stop any exit this summer.
Wiliams has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal over the last week, with a report that Andrea Berta, the Gunners new director of football Andrea Berta had spoken to his agent ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.
That was only the start of what would be a very complicated deal to get done, albeit not from a financial aspect as Williams is believed to have a €60m release clause in his current contract.
The big problem is convincing the Spanish star to leave his boyhood club, where he plays alongside his brother and is adored by the fanbase. Indeed, he’s turned down moves in the last few years because his association to the club is so strong.
That could turn into something even greater, report Tele Bilbao, who say Williams is now considering a ‘lifelong contract’ with the Basque club and could even extend for several years, increasing is buyout clause in the process.
The clause would increase to such an amount that no team could afford to buy him, including suitors such as Arsenal and Barcelona.
Now, this may just be a counter move from Athletic given the recent reports, specifically regarding the Gunners and nothing more than that. But it seems any attempt to get Williams won’t be easy and Athletic will put up a fight despite Berta’s early efforts.
