Nico Williams Turns Down Barça’s €150 m Offer: Key Points
- Barça’s huge bid: Barcelona were ready to pay the 21‑year‑old Athletic Club winger’s €150 million release clause and hand him a “pharaonic” wage package.
- Inter left stunned: Inter Milan, long‑time admirers who’d built a sporting pitch around regular Serie A minutes, were blindsided by Barça’s move.
- Eight‑word rejection: Asked about the offer, Williams simply said, “Gracias, pero yo ya sé quién soy” (“Thanks, but I already know who I am”), signalling he won’t be swayed by money alone.
- Bilbao delight: Athletic fans and coach Ernesto Valverde hailed the loyalty, calling it a refreshing stand in a cash‑driven market.
- Barcelona regroup: With Williams rebuffing them, Barça are now revisiting alternatives such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli) and Luis Díaz (Liverpool).
- Inter pivot: The Nerazzurri have shifted focus to other positions rather than chase a player who’s clearly staying put.
- Bigger picture: Williams’ stance has made him a symbol for young players who value identity over riches—one of the summer window’s most striking stories.
