This is the type of winger that we need to aim for rather than the Olise type.
Nicholas Williams | Bilbao winger
- Thread starter zaafi
- Start date
Why do people think he wants barcelona? Last I heard he'd prefer leaving Spain, if he is to leave Athletic. Which is far from certain
Chelsea are interested headlines coming soon.
He is a much better player than someone like Rashford, and with Garnacho on the other side could be quite something, but he looks set for one of the big clubs. If he leaves his current club, that is. Also, it remains to be see if he has the attitude to keep this up after making it. The supposed wage demands are also outrageous, but who knows how much of that is true?
With the wages, you have to remember that Bilbao are a special case. They're a wealthy club and they only field Basque players, meaning they can and will pay huge amounts to keep their top talent, since they effectively operate in a tiny market.
Nico's value to them is huge - there is basically no way of replacing him directly if he does choose to leave, so he is renumerated handsomely to mitigate that possibility. It's not an ego trip or agent wrangling that sees him earn what he does.
His attitude is generally thought to be excellent. You only have to look at his older brother Inaki, with whom he was very close to in difficult circumstances.
He’s so direct and fast. Was very impressed yesterday. Heard he’s very inconsistent though maybe will change with more experience still young
Every transfer, all I see is people saying ''I can see him going to x club'' ''Think he'd prefer X club instead'' rinse and repeat without any substance or backing to the claims. How many times have you seen Bibao sell their best players to other spanish clubs? Most Spanish clubs don't want to pay the release clause as they prefer staggered payments which Bilbao won't negotiate, so if he's leaving Bilbao he's leaving Spain. Barca defo can't afford him right now unless they sell Raph and they have no levers to pull again so will be mindful of paying big fees.
In an ideal world, this guy replaces Rashford. It's been a running topic in my United friend's group for about a year now. I absolutely love him.
As you say, Barcelona cannot buy at market price anyway unless they sell Barsa Studios for the third time (or is it fourth by now?). Bilbao would much rather sell to us and we can meet their asking price.
A lot depends on the wage issue. If it’s true that he wants 300k per week, very very few clubs might possibly sign a player of his age and experience at that wage and Barca are one of them. Then you throw in his reported friendships with several Barca players and reported interest from the club and it makes sense, but only if they come up with the money somehow of course.
If the wage issue is overblown and he’d be willing to take significantly less, it’s another matter.
He's fecking ace on Football Manager. Sign him up.
Isn't Bayern also looking for a wide attacker? But yeah, would like this signing a lot. Moreso than the Leoa's or Kvicha's.
There are players at Bayern that are earning 300k+ pw.
A 21 year old signed from Bilbao won't be one of them.
I haven't much of him except last night. Based on that, he's everything you'd want in a winger. He can go outside, inside, he can cross, he can use his left, he can pass between lines and he can shoot.
Somebody on here got upset with me for suggesting the only way this happens ( more from Williams perspective ) is if Rashford is sold to free up the position .
He thinks he will come anyway .
I was the same. Haven't watched Bilbao in years but have heard people mention this lad loads. If that's the way he plays every week, you'd imagine every top side in Europe will be after him.
He is well known in the industry and not a hidden
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Is that what he reportedly wants to be paid? Sorry, missed that.
He is already on 190k/week or something. So not surprise his agent asked for 300/k to start. His relatively low release clause for an attacking player probably can get him a big signing on fee as well.
I don’t think I suggested he was a hidden germ, or that anyone was picking him on the basis of last night.
So so impressed by him. The shot that hit the bar yesterday was fantastic, if that went in it would have topped off a couple of very good performances from him. Very interested to see if we look at him.
Release clause at £50m according to Romano. I’d prefer a bonafide RW but I’d take that deal.
All good points, had no idea he was being paid that much!
If that is the case it is nothing to think about. We should go after him but I guess we need to do sell Sancho and maybe Rashford first.
Greenwood will probably be the first to go. Sancho has to leave and I’d hope to be rid of Antony before Rashford but they’ll be hard to shift.
I could accept heading into next season with Rashford, Garnacho, Amad and Williams rotating on the wings.
Sell Rashford sign Williams
I don't understand why we're not being linked with him. He has a release clause and is one of the most talented attackers in the world with ridiculous potential. We absolutely need a new winger, and Nico Williams can comfortably play on both wings.
Maybe he doesn't want to leave Bilbao, but he has publicly said that he doesn't know what's going to happen after the Euros, so why are we not enquiring about him?
Maybe he doesn't want to leave Bilbao, but he has publicly said that he doesn't know what's going to happen after the Euros, so why are we not enquiring about him?
Apparently Chelsea are in for him.
I don’t know if he has it in him to be a top top player - he looks a little unrefined at times and I’m not sure he has great end product. Someone mentioned Zaha and that’s a decent comparison - albeit this kid looks to have way more potential. But he’s young and would give us serious pace, athleticism and trickery on the left with lots of room for improvement - it’s an absolute no brainer for us. But you just know we’ll keep missing out the good wingers becuase we love to hang on to players. With ETH, Antony will stay and Rashford is apparently our heat and soul anyway.
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They are in for everyone it's Boehly in his sweet shop time again
Would love for him to stay at Bilbao, since him and his brother have been very entertaining to watch, but if he leaves the club I'd love to have him at United. He's a great player.
He's young, looks talented but will cost a fortune.
Don't know why but his haircut looks a good match for Chelsea...
Don't know why but his haircut looks a good match for Chelsea...
Despite a release clause that isn’t all that high ?
I’m trying to remember the last player this didn’t apply to
Beckham? Were they linked to Beckham?
They will likely be linked to, or try to sign, every target we get this summer
Top talent but I dont think we have a chance here. The wage demands are just too high. How has he managed to get £190k per week from Bilbao of all teams? That is crazy.
Outside of Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao is rich as feck football team. They also spent a fortune rebuilding their stadium and everything, having the Basque players clause* actually helps them a lot in terms of that. They usually don't need to spend too much buying players, but earn a ton with release clauses to their gems.
Exactly the type of player we should be signing but never seem to 
He's going to be a top player for years to come (Injuries permitting).
He's going to be a top player for years to come (Injuries permitting).
Has a release clause less than £50m
You have to realise at this point that half the players Chelsea get linked with aren’t actual real links ans those we aren’t genuinely linked with are players we have typically been linked with for a while, going back a couple of windows.
Assume his wage demands will be insane. From what I can gather, he's the second highest paid player at Bilbao (behind Iñaki):
https://m.aiscore.com/salary/team-athletic-bilbao-w34kgmi3w8a8ko9 - £169k per week
https://www.capology.com/club/athletic-club/salaries/ - €200k per week
https://bilbaohiria.com/en/sports/salaries-of-athletic-club-players-for-the-2023-2024-season/ - €200k per week
If he's on anywhere near that at Bilbao (mental) then he'll be demanding upwards of £250k per week at United.
Which is obviously a lot.
He is class though, I'd sign that off if I was Manchester United CFO. Sign and recline.