Athletic Club chief addresses affectionate moment between Nico Williams and Hansi Flick – “I guess…” | OneFootball

There’s no doubt that relations between Barcelona and Athletic Club are currently very frosty. The former’s pursuit of Nico Williams during the summer was highly documented, and although he ended up remaining in Bilbao, officials at Los Leones were far from pleased with how everything played out publicly.

The matter appeared to be in the past, although Hansi Flick hugging Williams after Barcelona’s victory over Athletic on MD2 appears to have somewhat re-ignited the tension. The German manager claimed that he was only congratulating the 22-year-old on winning Euro 2024 earlier in the summer, although Athletic president Jon Uriarte appeared not to believe this reasoning (via Marca).

“Flick hugged Nico and said he was doing it to congratulate him on the European Championship. I guess he would do the same with (Dani) Vivian, although I did not see that happen.

“We have turned the page and the chapter is over. Nico has made it clear that he wants to stay here and for us it is something very important. He has a contract until 2027.

There’s every chance that the Williams saga gets re-ignited next summer, although before then, Athletic Club will be keen to agree a new contract with their most valuable player. A significantly-increased release clause would certainly make it difficult for Barcelona, or anyone else, to sign him in 2025.