Athletic Club Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde on Thursday insisted that he expected Spain international forward, Nico Williams to be with the team next season.

Nico Williams (C) of Spain breaks through during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B match between Spain and Italy in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on June 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

The 22-year-old signed a contract at the end of 2023 to keep him with Athletic until June 2027, but the relatively low release clause of around 58 million euros and Williams' displays that helped Athletic finish fifth in La Liga and win the Copa del Rey, had already made him a wanted man even before the European Championships.

The winger was one of the standout players as Spain lifted the European title in Germany, scoring the opening goal in the final against England and earning a place in the ideal 11 for the tournament.

FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has openly said his club want to sign Williams (despite their massive financial problems), while Arsenal and Chelsea are also thought to be interested.

Speaking to an expectant press at Athletic's training ground on Thursday, Valverde said he was confident Williams would delight fans at the San Mames Stadium for another season.

"I don't think he's (Nico) is the only player there are rumors about," said the coach.

"He's a great player and it could be that the club's that have been named are interested, but he is happy with us and we are happy with him and we are counting on him when he returns."

Williams is currently enjoying four weeks of holiday and should be back in training with Athletic on August 12, just five days before they kick off the new season at home to Getafe in a year where they also return to European competition.

"As a club we hope to have the best players, and we want them to be with us. We are very excited and we have a good team," insisted Valverde, who had some advice for the winner, whose brother Inaki also plays at the club.

"At Athletic he can be one of the best and have a great season in which we have a lot of challenges ahead of us (...) we expect him back on the designated day," he concluded.

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