Latest news with #AthleticBilbao
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Athletic Bilbao release transfer statement on Arsenal target Nico Williams
Arsenal are interested in signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and club president Jon Uriarte has now spoken out about the Spanish international's future Athletic Bilbao have offered an update on the future of Arsenal target Nico Williams, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta a huge fan of the winger. Arsenal have long been linked with Williams, who memorably shone for Spain as they won Euro 2024 last summer. However, it seems as though Bilbao are confident that the 22-year-old will not be leaving the club. "I believe we have a winning and interesting project for everyone, and Nico is part of that project, just like many other players," Bilbao president Jon Uriarte told Spanish outlet El Correo. "The project becomes easier if we keep our players - and I believe Nico and the rest of the squad have a very exciting year ahead." Uriarte's comments come after it emerged that Bilbao are attempting to persuade Williams to sign a new deal. The winger is currently under contract until 2027 and his deal is said to include a release clause worth around £50million. However, Williams' wage demands are understood to be a stumbling block. Mirror Football understands that Williams would want to be paid more than £300,000-a-week to make him one of the bigger earners in Europe. Barcelona have also been heavily linked with Williams, but their financial restrictions have made the move unlikely. Barcelona have also seen an approach for Liverpool's Luis Diaz rebuffed, with the club unwilling to sell the player unless they receive a bumper offer. Diaz has also i ndicated that he wants to stay at Anfield. "I feel I'm going through a really good period," Diaz told club media. "I'm really happy to be here, to be part of this great institution, this great club and to have great team-mates around me. From the moment I arrived, I felt great pride. "I always tried to work hard for this, and to see that nowadays things are working out for me fills me with pride and I'm really happy because that's what I work for. [But] we are nobodies without our team-mates. "We are a team. The forwards and wingers always try to help with goals and assists, and right now I've achieved good numbers to back that up. It's about playing and then playing well, supporting the team in the way I play and enjoying it, like always." Diaz is out of contract in 2026, but the winger expects talks over an extension to begin imminently. "We will be talking, the talk about it (his future) will happen," he said recently. "For me, I'd stay for as long as possible. It also depends on the club, it all depends on the details. They're all details that are sorted out separately. But I am very calm, very happy and I am enjoying the Premier League."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Cops hunt football fans after disorder at Rangers' Europa League clash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POLICE are hunting three men after chaos broke out before a high-stakes Rangers game. An incident took place on Harrison Drive near Ibrox Stadium in the lead up to the Light Blues' Europa League clash with Athletic Bilbao on April 10. 4 Police are hunting three men over an incident before a Rangers match Credit: Police Scotland 4 Unrest broke out before the club's clash with Athletic Bilbao on April 10 Credit: Police Scotland 4 Cops are appealing to the public for help with their enquiries Credit: Police Scotland 4 Anyone who was in the Harrison Drive area around the time of the incident have been told to get in contact Credit: Police Scotland Before the first-leg match, a supporters' march was held, with fans partying near the stadium before kick-off. Officers are carrying out enquiries and as part of the investigation they are looking to track down three individuals. The first man is described as being around 5'10, with short light-coloured hair. He was spotted wearing a red and navy t-shirt, with a scarf around his neck. The second man is described as having dark hair, which is shaved at the sides. He was seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket and appeared to be missing a front tooth. The third man is described as being of medium build with dark hair and facial hair. He was spotted wearing a black t-shirt and grey shorts. He also had a black and grey tattoo on his arm. Cops are appealing to the public to get in touch with officers if they recognise any of the men, Lyons family insist rival Daniel crew had NOTHING to do with Spain shootings Constable Ryan Beveridge of the Greater Glasgow Football Enquiry Unit said: 'I would urge the men, or anyone who has information relating to them, depicted in the images to contact police. 'I would also urge members of the public who were in the vicinity at the time to get in touch. 'Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1510 of 15 April, 2025, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool reject Barcelona approach for Luis Diaz
Liverpool have turned down an approach from Barcelona for Luis Diaz and have insisted the winger is not for sale. Barcelona contacted Liverpool to discuss a deal for Diaz on Wednesday but their enquiry has been met with a strong response. Diaz has been linked with an exit having failed to agree terms on an extension to his contract, which runs until 2027. The expected arrival of Florian Wirtz will also increase competition for places but Liverpool have insisted that Diaz remains a part of the club's plans for next season. Advertisement The Colombia international was a key part of Liverpool's title-winning side and scored 17 goals in all competitions in 2024/25. Barcelona had earmarked Diaz for their left-wing role, having failed in an approach to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao last summer. The Athletic are reporting that the Spanish champions have been informed that Diaz is not for sale. Saudi Pro League sides had also been keen on a deal for Diaz, though the winger has shown no interest in wanting to leave Anfield. Despite the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer and Ibrahima Konate's uncertain contract situation, Liverpool feel the right move is to 'maximise' Diaz's performance value, over his financial worth. There is a feeling within the Liverpool board that it would be difficult to find a replacement of similar quality, unless the bid for Diaz is too good to refuse. Advertisement Read – One ideal summer transfer for each Premier League club See more – The Premier League transfer stories to watch this week Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nico Williams commences contract extension talks with Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao and Nico Williams have kicked off talks over a potential contract extension, as the club looks to secure the long-term future of one of their most valuable assets, according to Ben Jacobs. A salary of €10 million is being discussed, while a release clause could be included, and understandably so, given the level of interest in him over the last couple of transfer windows. Advertisement Williams has become a standout figure for Bilbao with 42 direct goal contributions over the last two seasons and is on the radar of several top European clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal. The 22-year-old still has 24 months left on his current deal, which runs till 2027, but Bilbao now are taking proactive steps towards retaining his services. Known for his blistering pace, technical ability, and flair on the flanks, the Spaniard has seen his stock rise rapidly, having played a crucial role in Bilbao's Copa del Rey triumph in April 2024, a few months before starring for Spain en route to Euros glory. Despite being linked with a move away in the past, Williams recently insisted he is happy at the San Mames. Advertisement 'I am very happy at Athletic, it is the club that has given me everything, the one that has bet on me one hundred percent,' he told Spanish radio station El Partidazo. 'I am very happy in Bilbao, and that is all I have to say. Yes, I am quite clear, in the end, as I have told you, Athletic is my home. I am very happy.' Contract talks between Bilbao and Williams are expected to continue over the coming weeks, and the Basque outfit are keen to wrap up a deal to fend off any immediate competition for their marquee winger.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Spain target ‘enormously important' Nations League defence
BARCELONA – Spain are aiming to become the first side to retain the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente's side going from strength to strength ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The coach enjoys recalling La Roja's triumph at the 2023 tournament, which was an early sign that a young Spanish side were heading back to the top. It proved the springboard to Euro 2024 glory and de la Fuente wants to continue Spain's resurgence by retaining it this summer in Germany. A Nations League victory would bode well ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer where Spain will be among the favourites. They face France in the semi-finals in Stuttgart on June 5 before a potential final against Germany or Portugal. 'We attach enormous importance to it – it's almost more difficult than a European Championship, and we want to be the first team to win it twice,' de la Fuente said. 'We want to continue competing at the highest level with these teams.' After European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, sandwiching their World Cup 2010 triumph in South Africa, the Spanish national team slumped. Poor outings at the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar World Cups started to fade from memory, though, as de la Fuente's side beat Italy and Croatia to win the Nations League. It helped him on a personal level too, with many doubting his credentials and blaming him for an embarrassing defeat by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying. Spain then beat Italy, Germany and France on the way to the Euro 2024 final, where they got the better of England to claim their first major trophy for 12 years. The worrying thing for the rest of the world is that de la Fuente's Spain team remain hungry, with many players yet to reach their peak. The side are led by Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on the eve of the Euro final, and on the opposite flank Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, 22, also has his best years ahead of him. Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri, 22 as well, pulls the strings, while there are emerging talents in other areas including Porto striker Samu Aghehowa and new Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen. Despite a focus on younger players, de la Fuente showed he is not stubborn by turning to Real Betis midfielder Isco. After a superb season in which the former Real playmaker took the Andalusians to the Conference League final, the 33-year-old finally got the call he craved. Some said de la Fuente should have given Isco a chance last summer but the coach was proven right as his team went on to win the Euros. 'He's going to add a lot – if we had any doubts, he wouldn't have been here,' said de la Fuente. 'He could have been at the Euros, or not, but those who had to be there, were there.' Isco's presence gives Spain even more depth in a midfield packed with quality, and one which is still without Manchester City's Rodri who has yet to return to action after missing most of the season injured. 'In Spain, we are privileged to have many very good footballers,' de la Fuente said during the Euros. 'I think they are the best players in the world for many reasons.' In almost every position the coach is blessed with multiple strong options, with the team perhaps only short of one elite striker – although it has not held them back. Aghehowa, 21, could develop into that player, although de la Fuente ran through all of his possible options there, including veteran Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo as a false nine, or Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England. 'This is a team, and in that team, everyone contributes their bit to make a stronger, more solid group,' the coach insisted. 'Samu is fantastic, Alvaro, Mikel, Dani... we can play in many ways with different players and that is exactly what our strength is.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
