Barcelona target Nico Williams has been advised against a high-profile move to Camp Nou by his Athletic Club teammate Oscar de Marcos. De Marcos emphasized that the Euro 2024 breakout star should make his own decision without succumbing to external pressure or expectations.
Williams, a first-team player for Athletic Bilbao for three years, saw his career skyrocket at the recent European Championship with Spain. His performance peaked with a goal and player of the match award in the final against England.
Arsenal and Chelsea have shown interest in the 22-year-old, who has a €58m (£49m) release clause. Despite Barcelona’s financial constraints, they remain the frontrunners for his signature. Barca president Joan Laporta hinted at their interest, telling fans, “we will try” when asked about signing Williams.
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De Marcos, speaking to Mundo Deportivo, cautioned against assuming a move to Barcelona is the only path to success. “It seems like there is a tide that when Barca wants you, you have to go, otherwise you make a mistake, but many times you have to keep in mind that not everything that glitters is gold,” he said.
De Marcos stressed the importance of Williams making a personal decision: “For Nico, it is a delicate situation. There is a lot of noise. It seems that this pressure can get to you, but each one has to make decisions for themselves. He is an Athletic player, he will have the last word, we trust that he will stay with us.”
Continuing, De Marcos highlighted the benefits of staying at Athletic Bilbao. “You have to make the decisions yourself. I have no idea what he is thinking. He must be going over things in his head a thousand times. My opinion is that the best thing for him is to continue. He is 22-years-old, he is in the right place to continue the ideal progression for a footballer. Every year he is getting better, he is with the coach who has gotten the most out of him and who will continue for another year.”
Williams’ brother Inaki and a supportive dressing room at Athletic Bilbao are also seen as crucial factors. “He has gone to the national team, he has been one of the best in the European Championship, he is in the right place, in an incredible dressing room, his brother [Inaki] is there, a dressing room that loves him,” De Marcos added.
Ultimately, De Marcos urged that Williams make his decision freely and independently: “I hope he puts everything in the balance, but the only thing we want is the best for him. What worries me most is that he makes the decision himself. I have a lot of affection for him, I want him to make the decision freely, that way he will make the right one. There is a lot of pressure, perhaps that will not allow him to make the decision freely. Let him make his own decision, nothing more.”
