Athletic Club’s star forward, Nico Williams, is reportedly “more open” to a Premier League transfer, with multiple top-flight English clubs expressing interest. After an impressive showing at Euro 2024, where Williams scored in Spain’s victorious final against England, his future has been the subject of much speculation. While Barcelona targeted him last summer, it is now understood that the 22-year-old winger is warming to the idea of a move to England.
Although Williams has a contract with Athletic Club until 2027, his relatively low release clause of £46 million makes a move to the Premier League feasible. The Athletic reports that while a transfer in January remains unlikely, Williams is “more open” to a Premier League switch in the summer or by 2025.
The forward’s form had dipped after a summer of transfer rumors, but he has recently found his rhythm again. It’s believed that Williams could even extend his stay at his boyhood club. However, the increasing interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur suggests that a move abroad might be on the horizon sooner rather than later.
While Bayern Munich are also reportedly monitoring the situation, no interest has emerged from Manchester City, despite Rodri, a key figure at the Etihad, expressing admiration for Williams. The Spanish midfielder recently named Nico Williams as a player he would like to see at City.
One of the challenges in securing Williams’ signature could be his high salary. The winger earns around €10 million per year, a figure which has deterred Spanish clubs like Barcelona, where the wages of top players are closely managed. However, the Premier League’s wealthier clubs have no such concerns, with Williams’ current wages placing him comfortably within the financial structure of clubs like Arsenal, where he would be among the highest-paid players.
As the transfer market looms, Nico Williams’ growing openness to a Premier League move will undoubtedly keep fans and clubs alike eagerly watching his next steps.
