As one of the most coveted young players in Europe, Nico Williams could enter his last few months as an athletic Bilbao player.
Although he will remain under contract with his boy's club for another two years, it is expected that various European heavyweights will test the determination of Bilbao in the summer.
Barcelona tried to sign Williams last summer on the back of Spain's victory in Euro 2024, a tournament in which he had played such a leading role.
Hinded by all kinds of financial limitations and bureaucracy last year, Barca could renew their interest if they look at partner Williams with colleague wing wing wizard Lamine Yamal.
The 22-year-old has been appreciated more than £ 80 million, with Arsenal also crediting a strong interest in recent months.
Blessed with electric pace and Quicksilver footwork, Williams is absolutely greased lightning when he is in full swing.
He saw strangely quiet and subdued in Glasgow last week when Bilbao worked for a 0-0 draw with Rangers in the first stage of their Europa League quarte final.
Benched for the collision with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga last Sunday, he came to play with just under 20 minutes and inspired his team to victory.
Williams curled a sublime left-wing foot in the upper corner when Bilbao is back to win 3-1 on their search to secure Champions League football for next season.
It served as a timely memory of his talents – and demonstrated the size of the task towards Rangers tonight while they want to try what a seismic upset would be at the San Mames.
In just a few miles from the stadium in the center of Bilbao there is a huge wall painting by Williams and his older brother Inaki.
Conversations about the brothers and sisters of Williams once only belonged to the tennis domain, but they are Nico and Inaki, both of the Ghanaian heritage, who have become the poster boys for a more modern and multicultural Bilbao.
Of course the club is very proud of their Basque roots. Athletic Bilbao remains true and loyal to their policy to only sign players from the region themselves.
However, a domino effect of that policy meant that they were the last Spanish club ever to play a black player when they finally did that in 2011.
Then Bilbao came in the Inaki born in Bilbao, who became the first black player in 2015 to score for the club and has since made nearly 500 performances.
However, it is his young person born in Pamplona, Nico, who seems to be sure to continue to larger and better things like a large number of top European clubs that chase his signature.
He is not only the jewel in Bilbao's Crown, he is also one of the top talents in the Spanish national team, as evidenced by the amazing triumph of last summer at the euros.
Williams scored in the final when England was beaten 2-1 in Berlin and emphasizes his large competition references. At that time, together with Yamal, two new stars were born.
Although Inaki could have a doubt for this evening, depending on whether he can shake off a small knock, it is the young person of the brothers who is undoubtedly the most important threat to Rangers.
The side of Eresto Valverde, currently fourth in La Liga, starts the night as a red -hot favorites to book a place in the semi -final.
The Bilbao head coach, however, is wary of bridging, and says: 'Whoever wins remains in the competition. It is a unique match. We play a key game to reach a key game for the third time in the history of Athletic Club.
'We have to respect our opponents because they are a great team. They showed it in the first stage and have a history to defend.
“We're going to give it all. We come back stronger and we are pleased to continue in the Europa League.
'It was good to win and arrive with confidence last weekend. But Rangers fought back from two goals in their last match (against Aberdeen) and will come here with confidence.
'We play against a team that was only a few years ago in the Europa League final against Frankfurt and lost on penalties, so we have to respect them.
'They have a good movement, players who are excellent in operating spaces, they run tireless and are dangerous on counterattacks.
'If you suffer from shipping like last week, they lean back and wait for their chances, and they did well. But it will be a different game, an open, with opportunities for both parties. '
For Nico Williams, these coming weeks could well be his last in a Bilbao sweater prior to a blockbuster movement in the summer.
With the last set that will be held in the Stadium of Athletic Bilbao in May, which would be a denouement if the young winger could lead his team to glory before he is on his way to new meadows.
Rangers will of course hope to be the party poopers. Although huge underdogs, Barry Ferguson's side cannot be written off given their preference for claiming great European scalp.
But it's quite a challenge. Keeping the buoys on Williams Junior will be the key to their chances. Don't do that and it can be over in an instant.
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