Félix Tainta said Nico Williams drew interest from Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool and PSG in the summer of '24 after the European Championship. Williams then signed a 10-year contract extension with Athletic Club that runs until 2035.
Tainta on summer interest
Tainta said: "We all know about Barca's interest in the summer of '24, after the European Championship. Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern (Munich), Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain… 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 were angry with Barca for their methods. From then on, I initiated conversations."
Concern during talks
Tainta said: "There came a point in the negotiations, in the situation, where Nico couldn't be without playing. Nico is a Formula 1 car. If I go to your house, I can't take on your problem. And I made that clear to Barca."
Renewal decision
Williams said: "When you have to make decisions, for me, what weights most is the heart. I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home. Aupa Athletic!"
Tainta said: "Nico had the idea of leaving. 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."