Nico Williams, the 22-year-old Athletic Club winger, has confirmed that he turned down two major offers in the summer of 2025, when his future already seemed decisive for the Basque club. In an interview relaunched by FootMercato, the player clarified that in addition to FC Barcelona, he had received concrete offers from PSG and Arsenal, which he rejected. He explains that the decision was made as a family, with his parents and his brother, and that he is convinced of being “where he wants to be”.
The file was first announced in July 2025, when he chose to stay at Bilbao despite intense interest from Barça. The fact that Williams also declined the offers from PSG and Arsenal adds a new dimension to this choice, which was not only a refusal from the Catalan club. He then favored stability and the family environment instead of a new sporting challenge in Paris or London.
On the pitch, the season started less favorably for the Spaniard. After a previous campaign punctuated by six goals and four assists, he has only scored one goal in eight games this season. This drop in form contrasts with the arrival of Marcus Rashford at Barça, who concluded his first season with 14 goals and 11 assists. The contrast between Williams' performances and those of his English counterpart highlights the pressure the Basque player is under.
On the left wing, Williams was fielded during the 4-0 victory against Getafe, which gives him an opportunity to return to his best level. The Basque club now expects him to take his role head on and justify the carefully considered choice he made with those close to him. The player insists that he is exactly where he wants to be, and that the answer to his future will now rest on his performance on the pitch.
The next challenge for Williams will be to regain the consistency that made him known, while consolidating his status as a key player at Athletic Club. His rejections from PSG and Arsenal, as well as his commitment to the club, will be scrutinized by the media and supporters, who are waiting to see if he can meet the expectations of his teammates and management.