Barcelona sent strong Nico Williams warning as Athletic Club hit back at 'bombardment' of questions over Spain star's future

Williams has been a star unravelled at Euro 2024 alongside Spain teammate Lamine Yamal, as such a number of clubs have shown interest in the Athletic Club winger. With Barcelona heading the list of potential clubs, several questions have been posed to the Basque winger by the media regarding his future despite having reiterated that he has an active contract with Athletic until the summer of 2027. The Basque side's president Jon Uriarte has now released a message regarding the 'bombardment' of questions.

The statement from Uriarte was released on Athletic's social media, it read: "Nico, a footballer very committed to the Athletic Club, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled way, when he is concentrating on competing in the Eurocopa for the Spanish Football Federation, which he has not been able to protect.

"Respect between all the characters that make up football is a fundamental basis, or so we conceive it from the Athletic Club, which does not have the formula to submit to public pressure players with contracts in other clubs to try to incorporate them.

"Athletic aspires to the maximum, without limits. We are demonstrating that we have an attractive and winning project for our footballers and trainer. The proof is that we have recently renewed two of our internationals, Simón (2029) and Vivian (2031), Nico signed last year until 2027, and he also committed himself there during several seasons to coveted players like Sancet, Prados, Julen Agirrezabala, and Paredes, to put some examples.

"The Athletic Club is capable economically, socially and sportingly to maintain in its structure footballers of the size of those named, including Nico Williams."

Barcelona's main targets for this summer have been determined as a left-winger and a midfielder, and with their president Joan Laporta having already addressed the club's interest Williams is likely the chosen player to join Hansi Flick for his debut season at the club. Laporta also claimed that Barcelona have sorted their economic structure to facilitate the signing of Williams this summer.

For at least another four days, Williams' entire focus will remain on preparing for Spain's Euro 2024 final against England at the Olympastadion in Berlin on Sunday, July 14. It will only be after that final that the soon-to-be 22-year-old will ponder upon his club future.