Arsenal were one of three clubs to show interest in signing Athletic Club star Nico Williams after the 2024 European Championship, his agent Felix Tainta has revealed. 

Williams became a transfer target for the European heavyweights after playing a key role in Spain’s triumph with a goal in the European Championship final match against England. 

The 24-year-old was named the Player of the Match in the Euro 2024 final game but he could not secure a transfer from Athletic Club a year later.

Williams ended up signing a new long-term deal in Bilbao in July 2025 that will keep him at the club until at least 2035.

NICO WILLIAMS’ TRANSFER DEMANDS REVEALED

Nico Williams’ agent, Felix Tainta revealed that the Athletic Club star was more concerned about his playing time despite having talks with Barcelona.

He revealed that Barcelona led the charge for the pacy winger but the Blaugrana could not assure him of adequate playing time.

The agent pointed out the lack of assurance from Barca’s sporting director, Deco who was their contact at the club as the main deciding factor to decline the move. 

“We all know about Barca's interest in the summer of '24, after the European Championship,” Tainta told Marca. “Barca, Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool, PSG... I could name them all. Everyone wanted Nico, and having a player say no to all these clubs isn't easy.

“From there, we talked to Barca. Athletic knew because I kept them informed about the situation at all times, even though Athletic and Barca... Athletic was angry with Barca for their methods. From then on, I initiated conversations, and there came a point in the negotiations, in the situation, where Nico couldn't be without playing time.

“Nico is a Formula 1 car, and if I go to your house, I can't take on your problem, and I made that clear to Barca. From then on, we decided that if there weren't certain guarantees, we couldn't risk Nico not going there to play, with a World Cup coming up, and not just with a World Cup.

“A professional has to practice their profession. I go to your house to practice my profession; I have to continue doing my profession, and if you have a problem, that shouldn't affect me. And if you can't assure me that it won't affect me, then I might have to change my mind.”

NICO WILLIAMS CONSIDERED ATHLETIC CLUB EXIT 

Williams has spent majority of his professional career in Bilbao after coming through the ranks of Athletic Club’s youth set-up since 2013.

He helped Athletic Club win the Copa del Rey in the 2023-24 season after defeating Mallorca on penalties.

Tainta revealed that the Spanish star thought of leaving the Estadio San Mames before he committed his future to the club in July 2025.

“Nico had the idea of leaving,” he continued. “He's ambitious, and at Athletic you know the limitations, you know you're not going to win a Champions League, maybe a league title.

“In the end, when he kept saying 'not here, not here, not here, maybe here, but the situation and what it entails doesn't add up,' there's another twist where you think, 'what if I renew?' I brought it up with him, I said, 'This is what it is, do you want me to fight for it?' And he agreed. And that's how we renewed.”

After lifting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain this summer, Williams has played six La Liga games for Athletic Club this season and he has a goal to his name.