Despite being one of Real Madrid’s top transfer targets for next season, Nico Williams has chosen to remain loyal to Athletic Club—at least for one more year. The 22-year-old winger, considered one of the brightest prospects in Spanish football, prefers to stay with the Basque side to compete in the upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign.

For weeks, speculation has linked Williams with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu. Aligned with their youth-focused rebuild, Real Madrid has already secured the signing of central defender Dean Huijsen and is in advanced talks for Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold. The goal: to assemble a young, hungry, and title-ready squad.

Loyalty and maturity behind the decision

However, according to multiple reports, Nico Williams has opted to stay at San Mamés for reasons that go beyond football. His commitment to the club that developed him, his desire to represent Athletic in Europe top competition, and the impact of an early departure all played key roles in his decision

Though tempted by the idea of eventually sharing the pitch with stars like Kylian Mbappé, the winger is in no rush. He prefers to take the time necessary to make a well-considered move that could define the next stage of his career.

Future shaped by internal competition

Another major factor is the strong competition he would face at Real Madrid. With Vinícius Júnior firmly established in the starting eleven and the imminent arrival of Mbappé, Williams is understandably cautious about whether he would receive the minutes he needs to continue growing. At this point in his career, being a regular starter is a priority

Madrid must wait

It appears that Real Madrid will have to wait. Williams wants to observe how the project under new manager Xabi Alonso evolves and assess whether the conditions are right for his future move to the Spanish capital.

The club is aware that time is not on their side. If they wish to count on the young star for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, they will need to move swiftly. For now, Williams will continue to shine in Bilbao, where his loyalty and determination have made him a key figure on and off the pitch.