{"id":160554,"date":"2025-06-05T15:32:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/160554\/"},"modified":"2025-06-05T15:32:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:32:12","slug":"nico-williams-transfer-athletic-bilbao-release-statement-on-arsenals-no-1-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/160554\/","title":{"rendered":"Nico Williams transfer: Athletic Bilbao release statement on Arsenal&#8217;s No.1 target"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal are interested in signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and club president Jon Uriarte has now spoken out about the Spanish international&#8217;s future<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_GettyImages-2217843041.jpg\" alt=\"Nico Williams\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Arsenal are still keen on Nico Williams(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Athletic Bilbao have offered an update on the future of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/arsenal-summer-transfers-arteta-berta-35191629\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Arsenal target Nico WilliamsLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Arsenal target Nico Williams<\/a>, with Gunners boss <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/mikel-arteta\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mikel Arteta<\/a> a huge fan of the winger. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/arsenal-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Arsenal<\/a> have long been linked with Williams, who memorably shone for Spain as they won Euro 2024 last summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">However, it seems as though Bilbao are confident that the 22-year-old will not be leaving the club. &#8220;I believe we have a winning and interesting project for everyone, and Nico is part of that project, just like many other players,&#8221; Bilbao president Jon Uriarte told Spanish outlet <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elcorreo.com\/athletic\/jon-uriarte-proyecto-ganador-nico-williams-20250605123521-nt.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elcorreo.com%2Fathletic%2Fjon-uriarte-proyecto-ganador-nico-williams-20250605123521-nt.html%3Fvca%3Ddgtk-rrss-ecr&amp;vca=dgtk-rrss-ecr\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"El CorreoLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">El Correo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;The project becomes easier if we keep our players &#8211; and I believe Nico and the rest of the squad have a very exciting year ahead.&#8221; Uriarte&#8217;s comments come after it emerged that Bilbao are attempting to persuade Williams to sign a new deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The winger is currently under contract until 2027 and his deal is said to include a release clause worth around \u00a350million. However, Williams&#8217; wage demands are <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/nico-williams-arsenal-transfer-clause-34444078\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"understood to be a stumbling blockLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">understood to be a stumbling block<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Mirror Football understands that Williams would want to be paid more than \u00a3300,000-a-week to make him one of the bigger earners in Europe. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fc-barcelona\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Barcelona<\/a> have also been heavily linked with Williams, but their financial restrictions have made the move unlikely.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/transfer-news-live-man-utd-35332560\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool bid rejected, Mbeumo latest and Arsenal &#8216;close&#8217; to \u00a338m deal<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/arsenal-transfers-nuno-tavares-lazio-35340256\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arsenal handed \u00a36m transfer boost as forgotten man completes exit<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Barcelona have also seen an <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/liverpool-barcelona-luis-diaz-transfer-35340789\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"approach for Liverpool&#039;s Luis Diaz rebuffedLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">approach for Liverpool&#8217;s Luis Diaz rebuffed<\/a>, with the club unwilling to sell the player unless they receive a bumper offer. Diaz has also i <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/luis-diaz-liverpool-transfer-saudi-35316945\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ndicated that he wants to stayLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">ndicated that he wants to stay<\/a> at Anfield.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;I feel I&#8217;m going through a really good period,&#8221; Diaz told <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolfc.com\/news\/luis-diaz-premier-league-was-childhood-dream-im-delighted-win-it\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"club mediaLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">club media<\/a>. &#8220;I&#8217;m really happy to be here, to be part of this great institution, this great club and to have great team-mates around me. From the moment I arrived, I felt great pride.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;I always tried to work hard for this, and to see that nowadays things are working out for me fills me with pride and I&#8217;m really happy because that&#8217;s what I work for. [But] we are nobodies without our team-mates.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_Britain-Soccer-Premier-League-25145666491160.jpg\" alt=\"Luis Diaz\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Liverpool have rebuffed Barcelona&#8217;s interest in Luis Diaz(Image: AP)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;We are a team. The forwards and wingers always try to help with goals and assists, and right now I&#8217;ve achieved good numbers to back that up. It&#8217;s about playing and then playing well, supporting the team in the way I play and enjoying it, like always.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Diaz is out of contract in 2026, but the winger expects talks over an extension to begin imminently. &#8220;We will be talking, the talk about it (his future) will happen,&#8221; he said recently.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;For me, I&#8217;d stay for as long as possible. It also depends on the club, it all depends on the details. They&#8217;re all details that are sorted out separately. But I am very calm, very happy and I am enjoying the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/premier-league\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Premier LeagueLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Premier League<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/KLOUWbmSQd86jj7ZbbVOHa\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mirror<\/a> <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Privacy Notice.Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745298978_502_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a343<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get the deal here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Sky has slashed the price of its <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a><\/strong> bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Arsenal are interested in signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and club president Jon Uriarte has now spoken&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":160555,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4100],"tags":[6167,1947,94,79,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-160554","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-arsenal-fc","9":"tag-athletic-bilbao","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114631484675546556","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160554"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160554\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}