Nico Williams has dropped a hint over staying at Athletic Club beyond this summer if they qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Williams netted the second goal in Athletic Club’s 2-0 Europa League quarter final second-leg win over Rangers to set up a last four showdown with Manchester United.
The Basque side are currently in fourth in La Liga – and in a strong position to qualify for the UCL via the domestic route – with Spain also receiving a bonus fifth spot for 2025/26.
Williams has been heavily linked with a move away from Bilbao in the coming months after opting against a switch to Barcelona last summer.
The 22-year-old is a key transfer target for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, with the Gunners prepared to trigger his €60m release clause, and potentially pay more in a structured deal.
Williams previously appeared ready to step away from his boyhood club, but their drive in the Europa League – and the prospect of playing Champions League football at the Estadio San Mames next season – is turning his head.
“Every kid wants to play at Old Trafford,” he told Diario AS after landing a double header with Ruben Amorim’s side.
“We have the goal of winning the Europa League in our sights, and for next year, we want to crush it in the Champions League!
“Little by little. I think our motto of going through each round has been to keep it ‘on the down low’ as the best way to go.
“We’re doing very well, and we need to continue like this to reach the final.
“The Estadio San Mames deserves it [us in the final there] more than anyone. We’ve done very well to reach the semi final as we wanted.
“Now, it’s just one more step to the final, and hopefully we can get there.”
sheddy22
0
Bilbao vs Spurs in final
Your type said Lyon wouod qualify. Now another club🤣🤣
Kesadlor
0
score hattrick in old Trafford
HendricksChibuezePet
1
This guy should leave for a bigger club now. He is feeling on top of the world now that he has little time. Just one major injury can change this his swan song into misery, and before he knows it, he's playing for low table team. We don't pray for such injury anyways.
kadabmrsty
1
Williams is the Barcelona player for next season whatever will be goin to play him yamal olmo Pedri gavi raphinna femin curbss
nobleng123
0
if all those clubs struggling in Europa know that it belongs to united they will all withdraw themselves and hand it over to man u and take some rest
😄 🤣 😂 😆 😄
alphanemanuel
1
Man u will suppraise 😂😂😂😂😂
AumyWahid7
3
Bilbao vs Spurs in final
Pewaikou
0
if all those clubs struggling in Europa know that it belongs to united they will all withdraw themselves and hand it over to man u and take some rest
definitely I can see you're hallucinating if u think Bilbao will beat united. let them just surrender and give the Europa to united so that they'll have some rest and maintain laliga top four
Ksm_city
1
if all those clubs struggling in Europa know that it belongs to united they will all withdraw themselves and hand it over to man u and take some rest
And u think Utd can beat Bibao? 😂 because you managed to scrape through a struggling Lyon down to 10 men? 😂 Let’s watch and see, definitely won’t be easy for Utd…
Jammielagos1
0
hmm
Hritangshu93
5
Ya right.....keep dreaming and little by little your golden years will pass...... and you will be eager to play for big clubs maybe at 30 when you will be an unsung hero and ultimately end your career as a one club legend full of dreams and regrets.........
Pewaikou
4
if all those clubs struggling in Europa know that it belongs to united they will all withdraw themselves and hand it over to man u and take some rest
Lipaimnor
1
he said he wants to play at old Trafford. never said wanted to play for man u. he's actually saying he wants to eliminate man u. read the story before you comment
and this is precisely what I mean, commenting without knowing what's actually being said.
Lipaimnor
1
he said he wants to play at old Trafford. never said wanted to play for man u. he's actually saying he wants to eliminate man u. read the story before you comment
im a utd fan, i wasnt attacking utd. I hope we crush bilbao and lift that trophy! they play madrid today, watch it.
Unicorn99999
0
I don't think it,they struggled against 10 mans just like my stupid Chelsea fc you can not trust those guys.
😂😂😂
Tekabekmny
1
This boy shakara too much. Arsenal should forget about him.
JohnAggrey
0
ooooo so who Real betis win was on FIFA play
Which Betis? He is right. United are yet to lose in Europe this season.
kadabmrsty
0
arsenal will never by Nico Williams becuz of one things. martnel he playing left winger of arsenal and he is key player at first 11 first team and right wing is Saka so arsenal don't want William but I'm sure he is goin Barcelona cuz that's possition is empty till now he can playing there and raphiy goin inside 10
Cesailm
0
wondering how most united fans think he’s saying he want to play for them! Really!!!? Y’all deluded af! 🤣💔 United ain’t even going for him! And why would any sensible player reject Barca and Arsenal that are doing well only to wish switch to Unite!! A pointless and absolutely disgusted club. 🥹 He only cannot wait to add to your continuous awful season 🤣🤣💔 Tread carefully tho
Cesailm
0
wondering how most united fans think he’s saying he want to play for them! Really!!!? Y’all deluded af! 🤣💔 United ain’t even going for him! And why would any sensible player reject Barca and Arsenal that are doing well only to wish switch to Unite!! A pointless and absolutely disgusted club. 🥹 He only cannot wait to add to your continuous awful season 🤣🤣💔
rocainprz
1
Nico Williams continue dreaming.... Athletic dreams ended up in semi final.... Athletic club we been at home watching the final Europa league final... Manchester vs whosoever come out of the final.. Also bear in your mind that Manchester united never lost in Europa league this season. haha 🤣🤣😛😛
ooooo so who Real betis win was on FIFA play
yoobcklpsy
0
Serious fear don catch manU fans.
princewize
2
Nico Williams continue dreaming.... Athletic dreams ended up in semi final.... Athletic club we been at home watching the final Europa league final... Manchester vs whosoever come out of the final.. Also bear in your mind that Manchester united never lost in Europa league this season. haha 🤣🤣😛😛
cesbkmsuyz
0
get dis Nico boy for man u pls 250 wickly pay dem 100m pounds simple
Cesailm
0
He is talking about playing against you at your stadium, which sensible player will reject Barcelona and Arsenal to play for Man United?
His just delusional Absolutely deluded
Liddprtuyz
2
slm
BillyDedon
0
Draw is the only thing Bilbao can fight to come out with in old traford, there’s no earthly way they can beat Man U.
And a tight scoreline defeat is the only thing you guys can get against them at their home other than that it will be humiliation for you.
BillyDedon
0
But who need him at old Traford. His finish is poor as Garnacho
He is talking about playing against you at your stadium, which sensible player will reject Barcelona and Arsenal to play for Man United?
duabnsty
0
"Every kid wants to play at Old Trafford,”......The Cristiano Ronaldo effect.
how is it Cristiano effect while it also a his dream to there
husemoprst
0
You will be annihilated young man
hezeklmsyz
0
I wish Bilbao can win Europa League
wish not granted
reabcmopr
1
Nico can't even give double digits a season.
reabcmopr
1
He's an average player.
Vicacnpyz
0
his dreams was to play for Manchester United next season..
That's not what he said, he wants to play against United at old Trafford
reabcmopr
2
But who need him at old Traford. His finish is poor as Garnacho
paylpryz
0
I wish Bilbao can win Europa League
me too buddy, me too…
kabceoz
1
Boy William will join Man City 🤣😂😜😅
Zimclnpruy
2
this is what matic said
ArchangelRaphael
2
Stop the hype and see what happens next
ReyC
1
Draw is the only thing Bilbao can fight to come out with in old traford, there’s no earthly way they can beat Man U.
Zicabmnptz
1
some people go just read headlines and the next thing, comment...
cadamnoy
1
In Arsenal he could atleast have joy but In MU he will neither have joy nor trophy 🤣🤣🤣
Man Utd has actually won more trophies than Arsenal (0) in the last 2 years alone
kuyabckpsz
1
he said he wants to play at old Trafford. never said wanted to play for man u. he's actually saying he wants to eliminate man u. read the story before you comment
don't worry baby Barca won't win any trophy,,,,
wisbcemprt
0
let him go to Arsenal for joy not for trophy🤣
In Arsenal he could atleast have joy but In MU he will neither have joy nor trophy 🤣🤣🤣
Lacabceklu
0
"Every kid wants to play at Old Trafford,”......The Cristiano Ronaldo effect.
But you said you live in New Jersey why is English that hard to understand 🤡 Every kid love to play in Old Trafford but he did not say he wants to play for Man united
malablata
2
"Every kid wants to play at Old Trafford,”......The Cristiano Ronaldo effect.
podinptuyz
2
I wish Bilbao can win Europa League
Neoadklptz
0
j jujjuj njnjjnñnnnnN NUJJJUNUUUPu
Nicky93
0
United will beat you guys
I don't think it,they struggled against 10 mans just like my stupid Chelsea fc you can not trust those guys.
weabdelmnz
0
Come to United and Kill your talent...
let him go to Arsenal for joy not for trophy🤣