Updated: 11 Jun 2026 12:33 BST |
5 min read
The 2026 World Cup could be the defining point for a number of players this summer and, for Nico Williams, it may represent a last chance for the Athletic Club star to get his dream transfer.
Williams was a breakout figure at Spain’s last major international tournament, with the winger being named in the team of the tournament at Euro 2024 and even scoring against England in the triumphant final.
The 23-year-old was one of the most coveted players on the planet following the success in Germany but he opted to spurn interest from the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal, eventually signing a bumper new contract that ties him to Bilbao until 2035.
The idea was for Williams to get a significant salary increase with a release clause of around €90 million that would allow him Athletic Club to get a big fee for their talisman in the near future, however things have not gone quite to plan since the renewal last July.
Having been touted to take the next step and establish himself as one of the standout players in La Liga, Williams instead struggled with injuries last season and struggled for consistency, eventually finishing the campaign with six goals and three assists in 25 league appearances.
Despite numerous top sides across Europe looking for a player in the mould of Williams, few strong links have manifested and the forward will be determined to remind people of his capabilities by having another strong tournament for Spain – or risk missing his opportunity to take the next step in his career.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Williams ahead of crucial World Cup audition
Williams was born in the Basque region and has been at Bilbao since the age of 11. Revered by Athletic fans and on a long-term contract as one of the highest-paid players in the club’s history, it cannot be seen as a negative if he ends up remaining with his boyhood side for the rest of his career.
However, having rejected Bayern Munich last summer and resisting the temptation of a move to Barcelona in order to extend his contract, it would be seen as a failure of Williams’ potential if he overstayed at a club that has only had two seasons in the Champions League this century.
Yet the door to Barcelona has closed after the Catalans signed Anthony Gordon last month to fill the long-term void at left wing, while Bayern too appear to be looking elsewhere after the impressive debut campaign of Luis Diaz, who was brought in following Williams’ rejection.
Williams’ final chance could instead come in the Premier League, particularly with Arsenal, who are likely to target an elite attacking player this summer after ending their 22-year title hoodoo.
TEAMtalk report that the Gunners remain ‘firmly in the hunt’ to sign Williams and that the Athletic star remains a ‘standout’ target for director Andrea Berta, with interest ‘never having gone away’ despite the lack of a public pursuit.
Arsenal had pushed hard for Williams in 2024 to no avail, however the youngster is said to be open to the opportunity to move to the Premier League this summer, although his immediate focus is on the World Cup.
But Arsenal’s priority is thought to be Morgan Rogers, who could be available from Aston Villa for a similar €90m fee, all while proving himself as an elite Premier League player and, crucially, missing just one match in the competition last season.
The likes of Liverpool and Chelsea have also held historic interest in Williams but it remains to be seen whether they would look to make a move this summer, suggesting that the Athletic man may have pushed his luck too far by rejecting interest last year.
Therefore, the World Cup remains a crucial opportunity for Williams to inflate his profile and put his name back in the thoughts of Premier League giants, with all eyes ready to pounce if the winger can put in a show on the global stage.
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