Athletic Bilbao release statement over Arsenal target Nico Williams transfer controversy

Athletic Bilbao have released a statement regarding Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams and his pursuit by their rivals Barcelona.

The winger is a player who caught the attention of the Gunners long before his standout performances at last summer's European Championships with Spain, football.london understands. They and Barca were the two clubs heavily linked with following up that tournament by sealing a transfer.

In the end he remained at the Estadio de San Mames, though the existence of a €60m (£50m) release clause has breathed new life into a saga that Bilbao would rather not lose out in.

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Instead of Arsenal it would appear to be Barca that are advancing ahead in the race to sign Williams.

That is without Bilbao blocking their Spanish rivals from completing the transfer, with their latest club statement referring to is currently in liaison with La Liga president Javier Tebas about the situation.

The statement read: "The Club appreciates the willingness and clarity of the organization that defends the interests of all clubs. Within the framework of financial fair play, among other issues, FC Barcelona's ability to recruit players was discussed.

"Athletic Club would like to thank La Liga de Futbol Profesional for the willingness and clarity shown at the meeting held yesterday between the two entities, which was attended by the presidents of both organizations, Javier Tebas and Jon Uriarte.

"The meeting was held in Madrid in response to a request from Athletic Club made within the framework of compliance with financial fair play. Among the topics discussed was FC Barcelona's ability to sign players, given Athletic Club's legitimate interest in accessing the relevant information, after FC Barcelona sporting director Anderson Luis de Souza 'Deco' publicly acknowledged that they will try to sign a player from our first team. This player has a contract with Athletic Club until June 30, 2027. Minding our own business means ensuring that the rules of the competition are followed.

"Anderson Luis de Souza 'Deco's' statements add to the public statements made by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself, admitting that the Blaugrana club " is working to be within the 1:1 rule " and that, therefore, it is not currently within the parameters of said rule for registering players.

"We appreciate La Liga's complete willingness and clarity in its qualified response, and we affirm that Athletic Club will defend its interests to the fullest extent in compliance with the financial fair play regulations approved by each and every one of the professional clubs that make up La Liga."

As to why this statement has been made and a meeting with La Liga is underway, Athletic are not pleased with the actions of Barca.

"Both Nico and other players show a desire to come. If the circumstances are right, we'll try," Barca sporting director Deco had stated earlier this week.

"To sign a player, you have to follow the right steps. In this case, everything is very clear. He has a [release] clause. Then we'll see how we can make what the player and the club want happen."

Athletic are not pleased with this public activity around the transfer, nor are they convinced Barca are financially capable of meeting Williams' £50m fee whilst following La Liga's '1:1' law. This law dictates that a club must only spend the same amount of money it brings in.

Therefore, their requests to meet with Tebas and uncover truths around the scenario have been made in an attempt to keep their player out of Barca's clutches.

Whether Arsenal would be able to capitalise would have to be seen, though all media covering this saga suggest Williams' heart is in Catalonia.

"We don’t have bad relations with Athletic, yes there have been a series of misunderstandings and incidents in recent years, but you can’t say we have bad relations, we are two clubs with a very long history and with relationships that go back a long time," Barca's president Laporta has stated this week.

"I don’t understand the reactions they are having, with all due respect, each one should look after their own, I don’t understand why they are going to talk about Barca in La Liga, I don’t think it’s right, but they will know what they are doing.

"We are working to be in the 1:1 rule, we were already in it in the winter market, all the steps have been taken to be able to sign normally, to not be financially intervened with the ‘fair play’ as happened until winter, we have to comply with certain parameters, which is what we are doing and depending on that we will be able to sign and register the two players we want to sign... or register."