Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has spoken candidly about how intense transfer speculation—particularly links to Barcelona—impacted his early-season form. At just 22, the Spanish international has had to navigate heavy media attention and mounting expectations following his standout performances at Euro 2024.
Media Pressure Took Its Toll
In an interview with Cadena SER, Nico admitted that the buzz surrounding a potential Barça move did more harm than many realized:
“Everything that happened around me affected me. There were people who didn’t understand and criticised me, but that’s part of the football narrative.”
He added that the attention was overwhelming:
“I’m a 22-year-old kid. All that noise affects you, you don’t know how to handle things… at first, I was a little upset and pissed off, for want of a better word.”
Turning Struggles into Motivation
Despite a slow start to the season, Williams has bounced back, playing a key role in Athletic Club’s Europa League run. His goal to seal the tie against Rangers showed that the pressure is now fueling his performances:
“With all the love from the whole team and the fans, I’ve grown and played my best football.”
He also revealed the squad’s mindset ahead of a possible Europa League final at home:
“We’ve turned the pressure of being able to play a final at home into motivation.”
Transfer Outlook: Barcelona Out, Arsenal In?
While Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich have reportedly pulled back interest, Arsenal remains the most likely destination for the talented winger. With Athletic facing Manchester United in the semi-finals, both Nico and his brother Iñaki will be crucial if the Basque side are to reach a historic final at San Mamés.
For now, Williams is focused on finishing strong—but his summer could still hold another major chapter.
