The reasons Nico Williams decided against Barcelona and PSG moves

Spain star Nico Williams confirmed on Tuesday that he would be staying at Athletic Club, after he returned to training early and told fans that he was looking forward to the season ahead. He had been made Barcelona’s top target, and also had interest from Paris Saint-Germain, but decided to remain in Bilbao for at least another season.

Williams’ €58m release clause made him an attractive prospect this summer for Europe’s top clubs, but Williams decided he would be better off remaining in the Basque Country, under heavy pressure from the Blaugrana. Marca have outlined four key reasons he took the decision he did.

The first is that he feels remaining at San Mames is good for his development, with a first season in European competition ahead with Athletic, and a first year playing two or three times per week. Currently he is working at an Athletic side set up for him, and with Ernesto Valverde he has continued to improve over the last two seasons.

The second is his family and brother Inaki Williams, with whom he is very close, and would prefer him to stay in Bilbao for at least another year – that bond is important to the younger Williams, and he had also promised his brother he would play in Europe with him.

While a move to Barcelona and in particular PSG would have made him a richer a man, he is still more than well-compensated by Athletic for his efforts, who put him on a new deal less than 12 months ago. Another important figure is his agent Felix Tainta, who has a good relationship with Athletic, and is not purely about the money when it comes to his clients. Tainta would have benefitted greatly from a move in terms of his own finances, but he decided Williams was best off in Bilbao.

Barcelona have now turned their attentions to Dani Olmo by the looks of things, and Sporting Director Deco is in Leipzig to negotiate for him. Keeping Williams this summer will be seen as a major coup for Athletic, and for President Jon Uriarte. It also gives Williams a degree of good will with Los Leones, and his exit will no doubt be met differently if and when he does decide it is time to leave.