La Liga club unfazed by Real Madrid’s pursuit of their standout player | OneFootball

Athletic Club remain calm and unshaken despite growing speculation that Real Madrid are seriously considering activating Nico Williams’ €58 million release clause, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo.

The La Liga club appear confident about the player’s short-term future, despite reports suggesting that Los Blancos are ready to swoop in, potentially even in time for the upcoming Club World Cup.

As of now, Athletic Club have not received any formal approach from Real Madrid. The stance is that if a club wants to sign Nico, they will need to pay the full value of the release clause, and the player must also give his explicit approval.

So far, there is no indication that either of these steps has been taken.

There is a contract in place

Nico signed a new contract in 2023, extending his stay at Athletic Club until 2027. This renewal was a strong sign of intent from both club and player.

However, Real Madrid’s interest is not fading. According to earlier reports, the club’s internal discussions have intensified around the idea of pursuing Nico Williams as a strategic market opportunity.

Real Madrid are yet to move for Nico Williams. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

At €58 million, the 22-year-old Spain international is viewed as an affordable Galactico, particularly when compared to the soaring prices of other elite talents in Europe.

Someone needs to go

Should Real Madrid push forward with this move, there could be serious implications for their current attack. Rodrygo is reportedly the most likely candidate to be sacrificed if Nico is brought in.

While no decision has yet been finalised, Real Madrid are now openly debating the prospect of reshaping the front line to accommodate the Athletic Club star.

For Athletic Club, the calm comes from two realities. First, they have no reason to negotiate, as the release clause offers a clear and direct pathway for any club interested in the player.

Second, Nico’s history of loyalty and grounded decision-making gives them hope that he may resist the allure of a big-money move, at least for now.

Still, the summer transfer window will be long, and the growing whispers from Madrid suggest that the question may no longer be if, but when Real Madrid decide to strike.