Nico Williams signs 10-year Athletic Bilbao contract extension

Nico Williams, the 22-year-old Spain international winger, has signed a remarkable 10-year contract extension with Athletic Bilbao, committing to the club until 2035. This deal includes a more than 50% increase in his release clause, now reportedly around €90 million, reflecting Athletic's strong intent to retain the player amid significant interest from major clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Williams, who played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and Athletic's recent Copa del Rey win, expressed that his decision was driven by loyalty and personal connection, stating, 'I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home.' Barcelona was reportedly caught off guard by the extension, having not been informed by Williams or his representatives, and is now pursuing other targets like Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford. The extension provides clarity for Athletic Bilbao ahead of the new season and underscores a rare example of a modern player pledging his peak years to a single club despite lucrative offers elsewhere. Meanwhile, Arsenal is shifting focus to other attacking options such as Eberechi Eze, Rodrygo, Noni Madueke, and Anthony Gordon following Williams' commitment to Bilbao.