‘I made the decision’ - £48.7m attacker speaks out amid Aston Villa and Arsenal interest

Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has responded to widespread transfer interest, including from two of the Premier League’s four Champions League sides, Aston Villa and Arsenal.

Williams was heavily linked with both teams last summer - as well as a host of other top European clubs - but he decided to stay put at Athletic. Barcelona, challengers for the La Liga and Champions League titles, were in one stage at advanced talks to sign the winger but he remained loyal.

Transfer speculation surrounding the 22-year-old is still rife as he progresses closer to his sky-high potential. Six goals and seven assists in 33 appearances across all competitions only scratch the surface of his superb form in an extraordinary season for Athletic.

The Basque club are currently fourth in La Liga, nine points below leaders Barcelona and crucially four points ahead of Villarreal in fifth. As it stands, Athletic will be playing in the Champione League next campaign, putting an end to an 11-year wait for elite European football.

Bearing in mind Williams rejected approaches from Barcelona, Arsenal and Villa when Athletic were in the Europa League, it seems extremely unlikely he’ll change his mind if Champions League qualification is secured. That’s exactly what the winger is hinting at, too, with an answer in a recent interview suggesting he’s not interested in moving away.

“Athletic is my family. The bond we have within the club is incredible,” Williams told FF, via Fabrizio Romano. “I don’t think I’d find this atmosphere anywhere else. At that moment, I made the decision that felt right, and I’m very happy with it.”

Despite this clear message, reports have still been circulating over a potential move to Villa Park in summer 2025. A Spanish report, for example, claims Villa maintain their interest and are plotting a potential swoop in a few months’ time.

Similar can be said for Arsenal, with The Mirror citing that the Gunners are prepared to pay Williams’ release clause of €58 million (£48.7m) as they plan to bolster their attacking ranks. Injuries to wide men Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard this season has emphasised the lack of depth, so Mikel Arteta wants to correct that.

Aston Villa already have Nico Williams alternatives

Unai Emery, himself from the Basque region, will be disappointed at Williams’ lack of desire to join Villa but he’ll understand the reasoning. It’s also not the end of the world as the Villans have alternatives they can consider.

Academy product Jacob Ramsey - of course already on the books - is more than capable of taking on his man and linking up play effectively on the left flank, just as Williams would. Then there’s Marcus Rashford, who Villa have the option to buy for £40 million once his loan from Manchester United expires in the summer.

Rashford and Ramsey aren’t as blisteringly quick as Williams but they’re still powerful runners and can change a game in an instant with their technical ability attacking instincts. Rashford in particular could be a great addition for Villa if Emery can help him return anywhere near his best. The 60-time England international can be among the best forwards in Europe when firing on all cylinders.