Does Nico Williams have a release clause?

Nico Williams is bound to emerge as a protagonist in transfer rumour mills having starred for Euro 2024 champions Spain in Germany.

Williams' superb tournament was capped off with the opening goal in the final amid yet another fine display. The 22-year-old went toe-to-toe with Kyle Walker in Berlin, with the pair duelling as an elite wide receiver and cornerback would down the left flank. The young winger didn't get much change out of the Englishman in the first half, but he made the most of Walker's errant positioning to score a well-taken opener just after half-time.

Williams earned a starting berth in Luis de la Fuente's side off the back of a productive season in the Basque Country with Athletic Club, as he recorded 19 goal contributions in 31 La Liga games.

Interest in the Spaniard was already high before Euro 2024 got underway, so his performances in Germany this summer would have convinced many that Williams may well be their guy to dazzle down the left wing for the next decade.

Acquiring his services this summer, though, won't be straightforward.

Does Nico Williams have a release clause at Athletic Club?

Williams signed a contract extension with Athletic Club at the end of 2023 - lasting until 2027 - which also includes a release clause worth €58m (£49m).

Many would regard this as a bargain fee given the nature of the current market and Williams' potential, but no club has pulled the trigger yet. Wages may be a sticking point for some suitors.

Given that Athletic Club commit little resources to the transfer market, they pay their players well. The 22-year-old, according to Capology, earns a base salary of approximately £8.8m (£169,000-a-week). If Williams were to leave Athletic this summer, he would likely demand a salary in excess of his current deal.

Who wants to sign Nico Williams?

There should be a long list of clubs lining up to trigger Williams' release clause and there certainly is Premier League interest. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have both been tenuously linked, while Arsenal regard the 22-year-old as an option but not a priority.

Chelsea are unwilling to trigger spend £49m to bring Williams to Stamford Bridge.

As it stands, Barcelona are the overwhelming favourites to sign the Spaniard despite their well-documented financial woes. Williams is Barca's priority attacking target this summer and La Liga president Javier Tebas recently confirmed the Catalans are edging closer to financing the move.

Williams has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Blaugrana, who are hoping to re-create Spain's electrifying dynamic out wide with Williams and 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal. It was Yamal who teed up Williams' goal in the Euro 2024 final and the pair are believed to be the best of friends off the pitch.

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