Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has finally opened up about why his highly anticipated move to Barcelona never materialised last summer.

The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to the Catalan giants, with reports suggesting that Barça were keen on adding his explosive pace and creativity to their attack.

However, despite the strong interest, the move never happened, and Williams opted to stay in Bilbao.

Now, in an interview with France Football, Williams has explained his decision.

“Athletic are my family. The bond we have within the club is incredible. I don’t think I would have found such an atmosphere anywhere else.”

The Spanish international emphasised that remaining at Athletic Club felt like the right choice for him at that moment.

“At that moment, I made a decision that felt right to me, and I am very happy with it,” he added.

While Barcelona ultimately missed out on securing his signature, Williams’ loyalty to Athletic has been evident, playing a crucial role in their impressive campaign this season. However, with his talent and potential, speculation about a future move to Camp Nou is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.