Nico Williams’ Impending Departure: Premier League Giants and Real Madrid Battle for Signature

Athletic Club and Spain’s rising star, Nico Williams, seems to be on the verge of bidding farewell to the Basque Country, attracting interest from major clubs in England and Spain eager to secure his services.

At just 21, Williams is hailed as one of Europe’s most promising talents, and with his contract set to expire in 2024, it comes as no surprise that prominent clubs are closely monitoring the situation. While Athletic Club aims to extend his contract, reports from Diario AS suggest that Williams has already made up his mind about leaving.

On Tuesday, his agent, Felix Tainta, issued a warning to Los Leones, emphasizing the player’s autonomy in deciding his future. Williams himself remained somewhat cryptic, stating that he had clarity about his future plans.

The intention is for Williams to depart next summer while renewing his contract, keeping his release clause at €50m. This strategic move aims to facilitate a departure for an acceptable fee to one of the reported four Premier League clubs interested, including Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

Recent developments suggest that Barcelona might have to withdraw from the race, as their interest hinged on Williams signing as a free agent. In contrast, Real Madrid seems prepared to pay the €50m release clause next summer, positioning them favorably in potential negotiations.

While the allure of Real Madrid is hard for any player to resist, Williams faces a dilemma with the competition he would encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu. With the likes of Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and another forward potentially joining in the summer, Williams may seek regular playing time elsewhere for his next career move.