Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte stated the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) have failed to guard Nico Williams amid a “bombardment” of questions on his future, with sources telling ESPN that Barcelona are among the many golf equipment within the winger.
Williams, 21, has been repeatedly requested in numerous interviews with the media whereas on the European Championship with Spain if he’ll stay at Athletic or if he want to hyperlink up with worldwide teammate Lamine Yamal at Barça.
In the meantime, Barça president Joan Laporta stated this week that the Catalan membership would have the cash to signal Williams, who has a launch clause price round €58 million ($63m), regardless of their monetary issues.
Sources have beforehand confirmed to ESPN that Barça will prioritise signing a midfielder and a left winger this summer time, with Williams among the many targets for the latter place.
“Nico, a participant who’s dedicated to Athletic, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions on his future in an extreme and uncontrolled method whereas on the European Championships,” Uriarte stated in an announcement on Thursday.
“The RFEF haven’t been in a position to defend him.
“Respect between all of the actors who make up soccer is a basic foundation — or that is how we view it at Athletic — which doesn’t embrace subjecting gamers with contracts at one membership to public strain to hitch different golf equipment.”
Williams signed a brand new take care of Athletic on the finish of final 12 months, penning an extension at San Mames till 2027 fairly than operating down his contract and leaving as a free agent this summer time.
Nevertheless, his inventory has continued to rise since then. He helped Athletic win the Copa del Rey final season, eliminating Barça within the quarterfinal, and has starred in Spain’s run to the ultimate at Euro 2024, the place they play England on Sunday in Berlin.
He was named participant of the match within the win over Italy and scored and assisted within the round-of-16 victory in opposition to Georgia.
Regardless of that, Uriarte insists that Athletic are in a position to fend off any curiosity of their prized property as they put together to return to the Europa League this coming season.
“There aren’t any limits to Athletic’s aspirations,” he added. “We’re demonstrating that we now have a pretty venture, a profitable venture for our gamers and our coach.
“The proof of that’s that we now have renewed the contracts of two of our internationals, Unai Simón (2029) and Dani Vivian (2032), whereas Nico signed a brand new deal final 12 months till 2027. Numerous different sought-after gamers have additionally dedicated their future to the membership.
“Athletic are financially, socially and in sporting phrases able to conserving gamers of the caliber of these named in its construction, together with Nico.”
Williams has maintained that his focus is only on the Euros, rejecting the prospect to speak about his future past the event.
He has been at Athletic, the place he performs alongside his brother, Ghana worldwide Iñaki Williams, since he was 11 years outdated and has made 122 appearances for the primary crew since making his debut in 2021.
