Nico Williams’ €90 Million Release Clause Tests Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United

BILBAO, Spain — Nico Williams remains tied to Athletic Club through June 2035 after signing a long-term contract extension in July 2025. The agreement increased his buyout figure by more than 50 percent, bringing the current estimate close to €90 million ($98 million).

Williams, 24, has repeatedly stated that he intends to stay at San Mamés, where he plays alongside his older brother, forward Iñaki Williams. After transfer interest during the summer of 2025, the Spain international said publicly in June 2026 that he planned to fulfill his 10-year contract in full.

Athletic Club’s historic cantera policy limits squad selection to players born or developed in the Basque region. Since the club cannot freely purchase replacements on the global transfer market, its executive board traditionally refuses to negotiate fees for core players. Interested clubs must instead activate full release clauses, or cláusulas de rescisión, directly through La Liga’s headquarters in Madrid.

Chelsea continues to monitor Williams, according to recent reporting from Spanish outlet Fichajes. Internal recruitment discussions have placed possible deal parameters around €80 million, although Chelsea has not submitted an official bid to Athletic Club.

Williams was born in Pamplona, joined Athletic Club’s Lezama youth academy in 2013 and made his first-team debut in April 2021. During the 2025–26 club season, he produced six goals and seven assists in 32 appearances across all competitions for Athletic.

Photo IMAGO

The winger’s international profile grew during Spain’s victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he played in six matches. At UEFA Euro 2024, he scored the opening goal in the final against England in Berlin and was named Player of the Match.

Chelsea’s interest fits the London club’s continuing strategy of pursuing young attacking talent under the ownership group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Since acquiring Chelsea in May 2022, the group has committed more than $1.3 billion in transfer fees while navigating the Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and UEFA Financial Fair Play constraints.

Arsenal has re-established contact over Williams’ potential availability, and Manchester United remains active in monitoring his contractual status. English clubs have reportedly shown a willingness to offer salary packages significantly above his current earnings in Spain.

Athletic Club has relied on release clauses in several major transfers over the past decade. Manchester City activated Aymeric Laporte’s €65 million clause in January 2018, while Bayern Munich met Javi Martínez’s €40 million clause in 2012. In August 2018, Chelsea paid Athletic’s €80 million release clause for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, setting a world-record fee for a goalkeeper.

Unless an interested club pays the full €90 million release amount and reaches an agreement with the player, Williams will remain under contract in Bilbao through 2035. Premier League buyers must decide in upcoming transfer windows whether to meet Athletic’s non-negotiable terms.