Arsenal transfer target breaks silence on snubbing move and three reasons for decision | Football | Sport

Athletic Club star Nico Williams has outlined three key reasons behind his decision to turn down a potential move to Arsenal this summer. In addition to the Gunners, the Spanish winger was being linked with a host of European giants, with Barcelona just one club reportedly ready to trigger his £50.1million release clause.

However, in a surprising twist, Williams instead opted to sign a new 10-year deal with his current club. This follows their fourth-place finish in La Liga last season, which sealed qualification for the Champions League. The Euro 2024 winner made 45 appearances for the Basque club in all competitions, scoring 11 times.

He’s now broken his silence on extending his deal to 2035. The 23-year-old cited his desire to play in Europe’s premier competition for the first time and make history with his boyhood club as key factors in his decision.

“I think we have a very long season ahead of us,” he told the club website. “We have very ambitious titles like the Champions League, which everyone would like to play in.

“What could be better than doing it with the club of my life? I would like to continue making history here at San Mamés, with the fans, with my family, and with a lot of enthusiasm.”

Williams, who has now made 167 appearances for Athletic and scored 31 times, also revealed a third motivation. His brother, Ghanaian international Inaki Williams, will lead the club next season.

“We’ve both always dreamed of this moment,” he added. ”My brother is a role model for everyone, especially for me. I think he’s the best person to be captain, and I can’t wait to see him wearing the armband for a long time.”

His new contract does reportedly still contain a release clause. However, Athletic have moved to ensure their prize asset cannot leave on a cut-price deal, with the clause said to have more than doubled in value to more than £100m.