Latest news with #IkerMuniain
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletic Club bite back as fans damage Nico Williams mural
Athletic Club have issued a firm message to fans following a controversial incident involving star player Nico Williams. Williams find himself at the centre of a fresh transfer battle with Barcelona making a renewed effort to bring him to Catalonia. Advertisement The Spain international infamously turned down the chance to join Barcelona in 2024, but on this occasion, he has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the La Liga champions. His change of heart over making the move has not gone down well among some of his current supporters in Bilbao. Athletic Club supporters send message to Nico Williams As reported by Radio Nervion, a mural featuring Inaki Williams, Nico Williams and Iker Muniain has been defaced on Sunday morning, with the Barcelona target's face removed. In its place is a message targeted at the 22-year-old: 'whether you leave or stay, you have lost respect.' Advertisement And in its place is a message targeted at the 22-year-old: 'whether you leave or stay, you have lost respect.' Image via Íñigo García/Radio Nervion The defacing of the mural has split opinion, and Inaki Williams took to social media to send a response of his own to the perpetrator. 'Behind an anonymous lack of respect, there is always someone too small to show their face.' The saga is the latest episode in a tense relationship between Barcelona and Athletic Club which deteriorated last summer over their clear push for Williams Jr. Athletic Club react to Williams mural controversy Alongside the message from Inaki, the club have also spoken out, to reject the claim of Nico showing disrespect. Advertisement 'The Club understands the current situation may generate concern among Athletic Club fans, especially when fuelled by rumours, arrogance or contempt for our identity,' they stated. 'However, those who erased his image do not represent this club. Disrespecting one of our own is disrespecting Athletic Club itself.'
New York Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Athletic Club condemn fans as Nico Williams mural painted over amid Barcelona interest
Athletic Club have criticised individuals who painted over Nico Williams on a team mural amid transfer interest from Barcelona. Williams' image on the mural on the outskirts of Bilbao, which also features his older brother Inaki Williams and the club's former player Iker Muniain lifting the Copa del Rey, appeared to be painted over in red, accompanied by the words: 'Leave or stay, you've lost respect'. Advertisement The Athletic reported on June 19 Barcelona had reached a verbal agreement with Williams over personal terms, with the Spanish champions not viewing the forward's €60million (£50m, $62m) release clause as an obstacle to a deal this summer. Athletic said they had contacted street artist Carlos Lopez over restoring the mural and said those who defaced it had disrespected the club. The club released a statement titled 'Supporting Athletic means acting with respect', which read: 'Respect is one of the fundamental pillars of Athletic Club. 'The summer has just begun and publications about Nico Williams, a player with a contract with Athletic Club until 2027, are abound in the media and social networks. Along with them, an endless number of comments and reactions of all kinds. Nico is one of us. A player raised in Lezama, loved in the dressing room and supported by his fans. ℹ 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁. That is why those who have erased Nico's image from artist Carlos López's mural do not represent Athletic. 🔗 — Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) June 22, 2025 'The dignity of a club is also reflected in the way it protects its own people. That is why those who have erased Nico's image from artist Carlos Lopez's mural in Barakaldo do not represent Athletic. And if they think they are part of this family, they should know that they are wrong: to disrespect one of our own is to disrespect Athletic itself.' Williams is a product of Athletic's academy and has made 167 appearances for the club, registering 31 goals and 30 assists. He played an important role in Spain's 2024 European Championship-winning campaign and scored the opening goal against England in the final. The 22-year-old was pursued by Barcelona in the summer of 2024 and also attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. However, he ultimately remained at Athletic and has a contract at the club that runs until 2027. Williams has again been the subject of interest from a selection of clubs this summer but has made Barcelona his priority, and Athletic sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, accept that Williams is set to leave the Basque Country for the Catalan club. The Athletic statement continued: 'To be Athletic is also to know how to keep one's composure. Supporting Athletic means acting with respect, not falling into provocations or losing our manners. 'Athletic has a present and a future. Because this club will always go forward, with its head held high, with respect and with pride. With those who are here and with those who will come.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
La Liga Transfer Round-Up: Real Betis get busy, Villarreal seal major signing
A round-up of the latest goings on in the transfer window, as La Liga sides get busy going into the summer. Athletic Club While not strictly related to Los Leones currently, it is of note that Iker Muniain has left San Lorenzo less than a year after joining the club. The veteran playmaker captained the side at times, but amid an institutional and financial crisis, leading to players going without pay, Muniain decided to end his spell. Muniain is now considering returning to Spain to be closer to his family, or even retiring, say Cadena Cope. Celta Vigo Celta Vigo have wrapped up the signing of Ilaix Moriba from RB Leipzig. The talented Guinean midfielder made an impact under Claudio Giraldez, and they have executed their €6m buy option. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal. On the other hand, the latest wonderkid from the A Sede academy is on the way out. Wolves have agreed a €25m fee for Lopez, and the deal is expected to be wrapped imminently. It will ease financial pressure on the club this summer though. Espanyol After Joan Garcia's departure to Barcelona, Espanyol are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper. Esport3, as quoted by MD, say that Sporting Director Fran Garagarza is targeting Leganes' Marko Dmitrovic as the priority. RCD Mallorca's Leo Roman is an alternative, but would cost €6-7m, while Dmitrovic is a free agent. Getafe President Angel Torres has confirmed that manager Jose Bordalas will continue at the club next season. Despite initial links to Sevilla, Bordalas will be back at the Coliseum next season. Veteran left-back Fabrizio Angileri has also left the club on a free to join Corinthians, and 22-year-old central defender Nabil Aberdin has joined Russian side Sochi for €300k. RCD Mallorca Former Real Betis central defender Luiz Felipe could be in line for a return to La Liga. Matteo Moretto reports that RCD Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano are interested in the experienced Brazilian defender, who moved to Saudi Arabia last summer. Real Betis Real Betis have made an offer to sign Junior Firpo. The 28-year-old is a free agent after leaving Leeds United, and Matteo Moretto reports that there are only minor details between the two sides. That said, Olympique Lyon are one of several sides also in pursuit of the left-back. It has been a busy period for Los Verdiblancos, and two of their players have moved to the Middle East. Alex Collado has been there on loan for the past season anyway, but now has made a permanent move to Al-Shamal, for a fee believed to be in the region of €1m. Meanwhile starting right-back Youssouf Sabaly must be replaced, after Los Verdiblancos agreed a sale to Al-Duhail too. Advertisement Another deal in the slow-cooker is Johnny Cardoso's potential move to Atletico Madrid. As the two sides continue negotiations, Diario AS report that before a move is sealed, Los Verdiblancos want to sign his replacement. There is also uncertainty over the futures of William Carvalho and Sergi Altimira, while Marc Roca is coming off a long injury absence. Talented winger Jesus Rodriguez, who is currently away with Spain's under-21 side, has already attracted interest from Aston Villa, who have opened talks for him. Yet after missing out on Deportivo La Coruna's Yeremay Hernandez, Moretto reports that Como are now moving for Rodriguez. Cesc Fabregas has spoken to Rodriguez, and Como are considering an offer, while RB Leipzig are also in the mix for him, and Gianluca di Marzio adds that Napoli are also looking at the 19-year-old. The long-awaited arrival of Alvaro Valles has also ended. Leaving Las Palmas as a free agent following a year-long stand-off with the Canary Islanders, Valles has signed a five-year deal with Betis, and is set to become their new number one. Real Valladolid La Pucela have gone down, but as they try to balance their books, important deals have taken place. Right-back Lucas Rosa has completed a €3m move to Ajax, but MD quote De Telegraaf, who say that they are also closing in on a deal for Raul Moro. The 22-year-old has agreed to on a five-year contract with Ajax, and has been targeted by Osasuna and Espanyol. Image via Relevo / Getty Images Sevilla Sevilla and Napoli are in talks for Juanlu Sanchez. That has been reported by Matteo Moretto, who says that Juanlu has already agreed a five-year deal with the Italian champions. Sevilla want €20m for him, while Napoli are hoping to wrap the deal up for €15m. It is added by Diario AS that Napoli tried to include Giovanni Simeone in the deal, but Los Nervionenses turned down that offer too. They want the €20m fee in full. On the other hand, Napoli may turn their attention elsewhere, with El Chiringuito saying that Almeria's Marc Pubill is also on their shortlist. Valencia After it was reported that Valencia had turned down an offer for Javi Guerra from AC Milan, Marca say that Valencia will stand firm on their demands. Los Che want at least €20m from the deal, but taking into account Villarreal have a 30% sell-on fee, that means a minimum deal of €28.6m. Milan's offer was €16m plus €4m in variables. Advertisement With Giorgi Mamardashvili on his way out to Liverpool, Los Che apprear to be looking for a goalkeeper, despite the presence of Stole Dimitrievski. Cadena Cope say that the final details are being wrapped up for a deal to take Athletic Club's Julen Agirrezabala to Mestalla, in a loan deal, with the clubs still discussing a potential option to buy. Villarreal Villarreal didn't quite fix their defence last season, and with Raul Albiol leaving, will look for more reinforcements. Moretto explains that Rafa Marin is on their agenda, and they are preparing an offer for the Napoli defender, who was used infrequently by Antonio Conte. The Yellow Submarine intend to move for him on a loan with an option to buy at around €12m, and Marin has already approved the move. Image via La Liga Amid speculation that Alex Baena will also move to Atletico Madrid, Villarreal have tied up a deal for Alberto Moleiro from Las Palmas.
