Neither Barça nor Athletic, Nico Williams has already made his decision: 'I'm joining the best team in...'

It's October and we already know that next summer Nico Williams will once again be, for the third consecutive year, one of the main protagonists of the transfer market. Just like when "It's Christmas at El Corte Inglés" appears long before Santa Claus's journey; it's the same thing. The Athletic player, due to his youth and enormous potential, is destined for this.

During these last two seasons, Barça has been the team that has pushed the hardest for Nico Williams. PSG and Bayern have tried to get involved in the equation in a timid way, but no one has managed to take him away from his Athletic. The footballer born in Pamplona became the highest-paid player on the squad last summer, but, for now, he is not performing at the level his salary requires.

What is happening with Nico Williams?

Injuries have appeared at the start of this season to hinder his intention to be the main reference for the Bilbao squad. Nico Williams started in the first three LaLiga matches and delivered great performances, such as a goal and two assists in the 3-2 win over Sevilla on the opening day. But then, after the third matchday, the first international break arrived and, just as happened with Lamine Yamal, he suffered a pubic injury.

Since the beginning of September, then, we have barely heard from him again. He was injured for almost a month and returned to play in the eighth LaLiga matchday. But this week he has set off the alarm again for missing two consecutive training sessions; however, this Wednesday he has already trained normally.

Ernesto Valverde wants to be cautious and gradually give him more prominence, without pushing him too much and always letting himself be guided by the player's feelings. However, the conclusion of these first two months of competition is that Nico Williams is not being as important for Athletic as he is expected to be. This situation, together with the recent interest he has received, could lead to his departure.

Nico Williams's future points far from Barça and Athletic

In addition to the burden of constant injuries, a new question mark has now appeared in the equation that makes Athletic fans wonder if perhaps it would be better to let him go. According to El Nacional, Liverpool is considering paying €75 million (75 millones) for him before the start of the World Cup. The truth is that, with his latest contract renewal, his release clause is now €90 million (90 millones).

Liverpool is the best team in the Premier League, especially with the arrivals of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. But Arne Slot's team is not quite getting going and the signings are not performing as expected. That's why, if the situation keeps going like this, it would not be surprising if those at Anfield open their checkbook again to make a major signing.

Meanwhile, Barça sees how Liverpool has overtaken them. However, at Camp Nou they are no longer considering making another attempt for Nico Williams. Still, they continue to need a left winger.

For now, the main idea is to pay the €30 million (30M) buy option for Marcus Rashford. Although, if the Englishman ends up dropping his level and Hansi Flick wants another player for that position, it certainly will not be Nico Williams.