Despite recent rumors swirling around Nico Williams’ possible transfer to Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao’s head coach, Ernesto Valverde, maintains that the young winger will return to the team as scheduled on August 12th to prepare for the new season. The 22-year-old Williams is currently enjoying his vacation in Ibiza, a well-deserved break after helping the Spanish national team win the European Championship.
In discussing Williams’ future, Valverde’s stance is both optimistic and resolute. “We expect him to come back for training on August 12th. He feels happy here, and we are very satisfied with his performance,” Valverde emphasized. He also highlighted the club’s expectations of returning to European competition this season, their first participation in the Europa League in six years. “We want the best players, and we hope they stay here. This will be an exciting season for us, with a strong squad ready to take it to new heights.”
Valverde also touched on the club’s overall strategy of nurturing homegrown talent while maintaining competitiveness. “We see clubs like Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao producing top-level players and achieving significant breakthroughs within a single season. This season is full of challenges, but I’m sure Nico is eager to face them. From his demeanor and expressions, I can sense his happiness and satisfaction.”
Meanwhile, the transfer speculation surrounding Nico Williams has not subsided. Reports indicate that his agent, Felix Tanta, met with Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, and there are even claims that preliminary agreements on personal terms have been reached. Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal have also joined the pursuit, both showing a willingness to trigger his €58 million release clause. However, according to sources in Catalonia, Williams himself prefers to continue his development in Spain.
Within Athletic Bilbao, there remains optimism that Williams will at least remain with the red-and-white stripes for the next year, continuing to contribute his talents to the team. Valverde’s comments undoubtedly provide a boost to the supporters, who look forward to seeing Williams’ impressive performances on the European stage in the upcoming season.