Ernesto Valverde is hopeful that Nico Williams will stick with Athletic Bilbao for a few years yet, despite increasing speculation over a move to Arsenal this summer
Mikel Arteta’s side have made attacking reinforcements a key priority for the summer window after injuries to key players in the ultimate third hampered their Premier League title bid this season.
Williams is more likely to once more be into consideration after the Gunners failed with a move to sign the 22-year-old following Spain’s success at Euro 2024 last summer.
Andrea Berta, the club’s recent sporting director, is alleged to have already met the wingers’ representatives to debate a deal, with Chelsea, Bayern Munich and potentially Barcelona considering a move.
Williams, who has 11 goals and 7 assists in all competitions this season, has a €58 million (£48.4m) release clause in his current deal.
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Having recovered from a minor groin injury, the Spaniard is about to feature for Athletic as they tackle Manchester United in the primary leg of their Europa League semi-final clash.
And Valverde is hopeful that his star player can play a component in lots of more big European games with Athletic in the approaching years.
‘He has had a excellent season and there was some speculation,’ Valverde said in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
‘We hope that he’s with us next season and for a few years because we wish to have the very best players.’
Williams, meanwhile, has remained coy on his own future as speculation begins to ramp up again ahead of the transfer window reopening.
‘The one thing I’m specializing in in the intervening time is reaching this (Europa League) final,’ Williams said last month in an interview with El Desmarque.
‘All my energy and focus is 100 per cent on that. Every thing else will likely be decided later. I’m very glad immediately.’
While Athletic are fourth in La Liga and currently on the right track to qualify for the Champions League, United are languishing in 14th and need to win the Europa League to secure a return to European football next season.
Despite their unconvincing begin to life under Ruben Amorim, Valverde is expecting a troublesome test from his Premier League opponents on Thursday.
‘There are numerous things we’d like to contemplate with Utd,’ he said. ‘They’re excellent at set-pieces with Hojlund, Maguire and De Ligt if he plays, and shooters like Fernandes.
‘They’re an enormous team and have big capabilities. Should you deal with one thing you forget in regards to the others
‘Ten bad minutes can knock you out and 10 good minutes can keep you alive – that’s what happened to United within the last round (against Lyon).
‘These are one-time matches and you have to know find out how to play them. You must be ready for any type of situation.’
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