Nico Williams has opted to stay at Athletic Bilbao for another season and Javier Tebas is happy with the 22-year-old’s decision.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has revealed he is happy to see 22-year-old forward Nico Williams remain at Athletic Bilbao amid links with Barcelona throughout the summer, UFABET reports on Thursday.
Tebas has previously told the media that Barcelona could sign Nico or a player of similar value after the Blaugrana improved the situation regarding the club’s Financial Fair Play rules.
However, Barcelona were only able to sign Daniel Olmo from RB Leipzig, but attempts to strike a deal for Nico fell through with the 22-year-old winger deciding to stay with the Basque side for another season, with Tebas delighted to see Nico remain at Athletic Bilbao.
‘Nico and many others, Barcelona wanted him but in the end it didn’t work out. I’m very happy he’s still with Athletic,’ Tebas said.
‘I like that they are at a club that is not one of the big two. It makes them feel part of the club, like some people do with their clubs. Nico owes Athletic for making him an identity.’
Asked about his own comments about Barcelona being able to sign Nico this summer, Tebas replied: ‘I only said that if Barcelona were to go back to the 1:1 rule, they would be able to bring in a player of value like Nico Williams. Nothing more.’
Tebas also spoke about Barcelona’s current financial situation, with the Blaugrana’s salary cap increasing to €426m from €204m in February.
‘Financially, they have made a significant สมัคร ufabet reduction in wages and have made a significant effort. They are getting better and better at learning how fair play works.’
‘They still have a long way to go to sort everything out, but a club with this kind of turnover, if they cut costs, they are on the right track.’