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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Figo full of praise for Nico Williams</li><li>Labelled the Spaniard 'a gem and a bargain'</li><li>Ballon d'Or winner wishes he had star's speed</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Nico Williams labelled 'a gem and a bargain' at €58m as ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo admits he 'wishes' he was as fast as Athletic Club star

<p>Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Figo was full of praise for Williams, describing the Spaniard as "a gem" and labelling him to be "a bargain" at his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/athletic-send-clear-release-clause-message-barcelona-la-liga-rivals-eye-swoop-sign-nico-williams-latest-chapter-long-running-transfer-saga/blt6dbed14d4e09a37d" target="_blank">release clause of €58 million (£49m/$67m)</a> in today's market.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Williams broke through Athletic Club's first team in the 2021-22 season. However, it was not before the 2024 Euro that he truly started counting amongst the world's deadliest wingers. The Pamplona-born forward was simply breathtaking for Spain down the left flank and played a major role in the nation's triumph at the tournament. Last season, he scored 11 goals in all competitions for Bilbao and is now <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/explained-why-barcelona-trigger-nico-williams-release-clause-next-week-despite-agreement-sign-athletic-bilbao-winger/blt15af4359f970a96f" target="_blank">expected to complete his move to Barcelona in July</a>. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking to <a href="https://as.com/futbol/internacional/figo-ficharia-a-nico-williams-es-una-joya-y-una-ganga-n/" target="_blank"><em>AS</em></a>, Figo said: "There are a lot of players I like. I'd definitely sign Nico Williams. He's a gem. And in the end, the price, considering what we're paying today, seems reasonable to me. Because of his quality and also because of his youth."</p><p>Figo further reflected on which quality of Williams he wish he could have had as a player. He added: "We're different players. He's a player I really like because of his position. I prefer the wingers where I've played. But I wasn't as fast as him; I wish I had been. I'm speaking from a market perspective, because for value and price, I think he's a bargain."</p>

WHAT LUIS FIGO SAID

<p>The 22-year-old is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/nico-williams-tells-athletic-club-let-him-go-as-winger-feels-perfect-fit-hansi-flick-barcelona-feels-hurt-vandalized-mural/blt3b434134d415df7f" target="_blank">walking the extra mile to help Barcelona reach an agreement with Athletic Club</a>, with Deco, the Catalans' sporting director, already <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/nico-deco-barcelona-chasing-williams-deal-agreeing-personal-terms-athletic-club-winger/blta28ad410b118502c" target="_blank">confirming that the club is working on Williams' signing</a>. However, Barca will not pay Williams' release clause until July.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR NICO WILLIAMS?

Nico Williams labelled 'a gem and a bargain' at €58m as ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo admits he 'wishes' he was as fast as Athletic Club star | Goal.com

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo has admitted that Nico Williams is &quot;a gem and a bargain&quot;, wishing that he was as fast as the Spaniard.

Nico Williams labelled &apos;a gem and a bargain&apos; at €58m as ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo admits he &apos;wishes&apos; he was as fast as Athletic Club star