Athletic Club star Nico Williams has probably been a star in San Mames for some time, after signing a new 10-year-old deal with Los Leones. In the process he rejected two major movements to play Champions League football in Bilbao instead.
The Williams agent had contacted Barcelona to reveal that his client was interested in a move to Catalonia this summer, after he had rejected them last year. Felix Tainta, however, demanded guarantees that Williams would be registered, or clauses who could leave him if he was unable to play, something that Barcelona could not offer in the first instance, and would not be in the second.
A number of clubs were interested in Williams, with Arsenal and Chelsea who followed him. Bayern Munich were the first to communicate that they would pay his release clause of € 58 million before Barcelona became involved again. Most of Europe's upper sides saw its clause as affordable for a player of his shape, but his new deal until 2035 has increased its release clause.
Athletic announced that the clause would rise by more than 50% from the current deal. That means that the new clause will be somewhere more than € 87 million, a much more important editions for every side in the world, and more in line with other top young wing players. Fabrizio Romano reports that it will be in the region of € 95-100m.
Since Williams was 'outgrown' his previous release clause, Los Leones now has more control over his future. Athletic, as a club policy, tends not to negotiate for their top players, and demands that their release clause is paid in full – as was the case this year.
The price to be paid is double for athletic. Diario as a report that Williams will double his salary in Bilbao. Bayern had offered him a deal for € 12 million a year, but Athletic's contract will continue to rise the season after season, starting with € 7 million a year. Athletic stated in their statement that Williams refused 'dizzying offers'.