‘We are’ - Newcastle United learn Nico Williams fate just hours before England vs Spain showdown

Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriate is confident Nico Williams will stay at the club amid reported Newcastle United interest.

The Magpies are one of several Premier League clubs reportedly scouting the 22-year-old. Williams has been one of the stars of Euro 2024 and essential to Spain’s eye-catching run to the final.

With Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal on the opposite flank, La Roja have ripped the likes of Italy, Croatia, Germany and France apart on route to the Berlin showdown tonight. England await - with Williams set to perform on his biggest stage yet.

A meagre £49million release clause has piqued interest from Newcastle, Liverpool and Barcelona in recent weeks. The winger can play on either flank, with the Magpies searching for a right-sided attacker this summer.

However, Bilbao president Uriate has called the speculation “excessive” and backed Williams to commit his future to the club. He said: "Nico, a player who is committed to Athletic, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled manner while at the European Championships. The RFEF have not been able to protect him.

“Respect between all the actors who make up football is a fundamental basis - or that's how we view it at Athletic - which does not include subjecting players with contracts at one club to public pressure to join other clubs. There are no limits to Athletic's aspirations. 

“We are demonstrating that we have an attractive project, a winning project for our players and our coach. The proof of that is that we have renewed the contracts of two of our internationals, Unai Simon and Dani Vivian, while Nico signed a new deal last year until 2027. 

“Various other sought-after players have also committed their future to the club. Athletic are financially, socially and, in sporting terms, capable of keeping players of the calibre of those named in its structure, including Nico."