Nico Williams opens up on Barcelona fans booing and failed Arsenal & Chelsea transfers

Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has confessed there were plenty of "difficult" moments this summer as he was courted by Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona.

Williams stock was rising even before his outstanding showings at Euro 2024 with eventual winners Spain, making his release clause of around £48m look like a bargain. However, after months of speculation linking him with most of Europe's elite, he ultimately opted to remain with his boyhood side.

The timing of his decision, just days before Athletic travelled to face Barcelona in La Liga, saw him booed heavily by fans inside Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

"I was surprised, I'm not going to lie," he told El Mundo of the negative reaction. "But I didn't give it much importance because when you go to a rival's field it's normal for people to whistle at you, but this time it was personal.

"It's not a big deal, I think that's also fun as long as it's not insulting. Being whistled at is the essence of football and I take it pretty well."

It was the end to an incredibly eventful transfer saga which Williams admitted put him through plenty of tough challenges.

"In the end, you have to live with it," he continued. "Football works like this, with many interests from clubs, the media, the players... and there is always noise. It is neither bad nor good, it is what it is and it does not affect my performance. I continue doing the same job that I have done until now.

"On a personal level, there have also been tough times in which you stop to think about many scenarios and it is difficult, but I have an incredible family and friends who support me. I want to think that this will not happen to me every summer."

Having publicly confirmed he hopes to spend "one more year" with Athletic, many fans have speculated Williams will find himself in exactly the same situation next year.

"I'm not thinking about that right now," he said. "The fans are very happy that I'm staying here and I'm very happy to be here. Bilbao is my home, I want to continue enjoying it and the truth is that I'm very happy.

"I've always had things very clear and I think people see that. I think I'm doing really well and trying to take Athletic to the top in Spain and in Europe, with that final in San Mames that excites us so much. That's the only thing that matters now."

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