Football News

La Liga record-breaker Inaki Williams reveals Man Utd transfer “contact”

By Ben Green

Published: 19:10, 11 September 2019

Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has confirmed summer interest from Manchester United was more than just speculation as the club held discussions with him.

The 25-year-old was associated with a potential transfer to Old Trafford but ultimately signed a bumper nine-year contract with the Basque giants last month, immediately quashing any possibility of a departure.

Why did Williams reject Man Utd? Five things to know…

  • Williams has long been tipped with a transfer away from Athletic Bilbao since emerging in 2014/15.
  • Man Utd were heavily linked this summer, with Solskjaer supposedly eager to add Williams to his frontline.
  • The Red Devils parted with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez but only signed one attacker: Daniel James.
  • Williams currently holds the record for most consecutive outfield La Liga appearances this century (122).
  • The Spaniard has now revealed the reason he rejected Man Utd is because of his love for Athletic Bilbao.

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It was believed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had identified the Spain international as the ideal successor to Romelu Lukaku – who joined Inter Milan over the summer – which has since been proven accurate as Williams has confirmed interest from the Red Devils.

“I had contact from Manchester United but I cannot tell you who it was,” Williams told Cadena Ser.

“My number one option has always been to stay at Athletic Club and to retire here. Joining Real Sociedad? No, I could never go there. 100 per cent.”

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Williams’ nine-year deal

With speculation gaining serious momentum that Williams would end a seven-year association with Athletic Bilbao and leave San Mames over the summer, he responded defiantly by signing a new deal until 2028.

The nine-year extension is one of the longest deals ever handed to a player in world football but came just 12 months shy of matching the 10-year contract given to Denilson in 1998 by Real Betis.

Williams’ new deal includes a 135m (£125m) release clause, while he has already started the new campaign in typical fashion, netting his first La Liga goal of 2019/20 against Real Sociedad during the club’s last outing.

Gaizka Garitano’s side currently sit second in the Spanish top-flight having triumphed 1-0 against Barcelona earlier this season, while their next meeting is against Mallorca on Friday.