SPAIN have been hit by explosive row over Nico Williams’ club future – just hours before the Euro 2024 final against England.
Williams has been one of the star’s of the tournament, causing heavy transfer speculation.
It caused Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte to slam the Spanish FA (RFEF) in a strongly-worded statement.
He said: “Nico, a player who is committed to Athletic, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled manner while at the European Championships.
“The RFEF have not been able to protect him. Respect between all the actors who make up football is a fundamental basis, or that’s how we view it at Athletic, which does not include subjecting players with contracts at one club to public pressure to join other clubs.
“There are no limits to Athletic’s aspirations. We are demonstrating that we have an attractive project, a winning project for our players and our coach.
“The proof of that is that we have renewed the contracts of two of our internationals, Unai Simón (2029) and Dani Vivian (2032).
“Nico signed a new deal last year until 2027. Various other sought-after players have also committed their future to the club.
“Athletic are financially, socially and in sporting terms capable of keeping players of the caliber of those named in its structure, including Nico.”
The Spanish FA responded: “RFEF has treated Nico Williams in the same way we have treated the other 25 players who travelled to Germany.
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“The impact that any of his words might have had is totally related to his performances and the great level he’s shown, and not to RFEF treating him differently.”
Williams, 22, came up through Bilbao’s youth system and he has since made 122 first-team appearances with 20 goals.
He only made his Spain debut in 2022 but has since got 19 caps, scoring three times including against Georgia in the last 16.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for the winger.
But even Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella revealed his own attempts to get Williams to West London.
Cucurella said: “He is a great player, he is bringing out all his potential.
“It is a source of pride that he is on our team, that he is our teammate and with players like him everything is easier.
“He would be a great signing [for Barcelona], but it all depends on what he wants. I’ve been telling him to sign for Chelsea.
“In the end everything depends on him. He is very young, with a lot of experience. I think he will be a great player.”
