By Kwame Bediako
Ghanaian international Inaki Williams has shed light on the unsuccessful transfer saga involving his brother, Nico Williams and Spanish giants Barcelona during the ongoing transfer window.
Despite interest from the Catalan club, Nico turned down Barcelona’s advances for the second consecutive time, choosing instead to extend his stay at Athletic Bilbao with a new contract running until the summer of 2035.
The decision underscores the siblings’ commitment to their current club as they prepare for a pivotal season. Inaki Williams, recently appointed captain of Athletic Bilbao ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, highlighted the intense pressure and media tactics employed by Barcelona to lure Nico away.
“A lot of lies have been told. We all know how football works and the pressure they wanted to exert. Barça ran a media campaign that they thought would work. That external noise has done a lot of damage and has tainted the situation,” Inaki revealed, pointing to the behind-the-scenes struggles that complicated the transfer discussions.
Replacing Spanish international Oscar De Marcos as the team’s captain, Inaki will lead Bilbao alongside his brother Nico in what promises to be a high-stakes season. After their long-awaited return to European competition, the club will compete on multiple fronts, including the domestic league and continental tournaments.
This leadership transition marks a new chapter for Athletic Bilbao as they rebuild and aim to make a significant impact. Athletic Club will kick off their La Liga campaign at home against Sevilla, with both Williams brothers targeting strong performances to establish Bilbao as a force in Spain once again.
The club’s return to Europe after a prolonged absence adds further motivation for the players and supporters as they seek to reclaim their status at the highest levels of competition.
With Nico firmly committed to Athletic Bilbao and Inaki at the helm as captain, the Williams brothers are poised to play crucial roles during the upcoming season.
Their combined influence on and off the pitch is expected to help steer the team toward success in a campaign filled with promise and anticipation.
