The 22-year-old winger, one of Europe’s most coveted young talents, has been the subject of intense interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich in recent months. But Williams has opted to stay at San Mamés until June 2035 in a move that reinforces Bilbao’s commitment to retaining homegrown stars.
Loyalty Over Transfer Speculation
Williams, who came through Athletic’s academy and debuted for the first team at 18, explained his decision as one driven by loyalty and belonging.
“When decisions have to be made, for me, what weighs most is the heart,” he said. “I'm where I want to be, with my people. This is my home.”
His previous deal ran until 2027, but the new agreement significantly strengthens Athletic’s hand. The club confirmed his release clause has increased by 50%, reportedly rising from €62 million (£53 million) to over €90 million (£78 million).
Impact on the Pitch and for Spain
Williams has already established himself as a central figure for Bilbao. He has scored 31 goals in 167 appearances and was instrumental in helping the club finish fourth in La Liga last season—securing Champions League qualification for 2025–26.
He also shone on the international stage this summer, scoring in Spain’s 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024 final.
Barcelona’s Pursuit Falls Through
Barcelona’s interest in Williams had been one of Spanish football’s most closely watched transfer sagas. Reports suggested the Catalan club had agreed personal terms with the player, leading to tension in Bilbao, where some fans even removed his image from a mural featuring him and his brother, Inaki Williams.
But ultimately, Barcelona’s well-documented financial challenges proved a stumbling block.
Athletic Bilbao recently confirmed they had sought clarification from La Liga about Barcelona’s ability to complete transfers within spending rules, after Blaugrana sporting director Deco publicly admitted interest in signing one of Athletic’s first-team players.
La Liga’s so-called “1:1 rule” means Barcelona must match any new spending with income, a measure designed to limit their spending while they work to balance their books. The club had hoped projected VIP seat sales would count toward that calculation but were told otherwise, complicating their transfer plans.
Barcelona could not guarantee Williams could be registered immediately. Including an escape clause in the contract (so he could leave for free if unregistered) was deemed too risky given the €50 million-plus buyout clause that would otherwise apply.
Bayern Munich Also Interested
Bayern Munich had also tracked Williams but appear to have been outmaneuvered by Athletic’s long-term commitment. With his new contract and significantly higher release clause, any future move will now require even greater investment from interested clubs.
Part of a Trend Toward Long-Term Contracts
Williams’ decade-long deal is part of a broader trend in football toward ultra-long-term player contracts.
Other recent examples include Erling Haaland’s extension with Manchester City through 2034 and Chelsea’s strategy of locking players into lengthy deals, like Cole Palmer’s recent extension through 2033.
Although UEFA and the Premier League have tightened rules so transfer fees can only be amortized over five years, clubs continue to see long-term contracts as a way to secure stars and manage wage bills over time.
Athletic Bilbao will see Williams’ commitment as a statement of intent to remain competitive in Spain and in Europe, with one of their brightest academy graduates now locked in for the long term.