"Have to take into account that all that glitters is not gold" - La Liga club's captain sends warning to teammate about potential Barcelona move
Athletic Bilbao captain Oscar De Marcos has advised Barcelona target Nico Williams against a move to Catalonia. The right-back warned that the grass isn't always greener on the other side as speculation continue to surround the winger.
Barcelona's interest in snapping up Nico Williams is no secret. The Catalan giants have been keeping tabs on the pacy winger for quite some time now and are expected to make a serious approach for his signature this summer.
The links continue to emerge, with many seeing it as a vital step up for the player's career. However, Oscar De Marcos doesn't agree and maintains that the best decision for Williams is to stay put at Athletic Bilbao.
"Decisions have to be taken by the player himself and I have no idea what he is thinking, but I suppose his head is spinning a thousand times. My opinion is that the best thing for him is to continue at Athletic,” he was quoted as saying by Sport.
The right-back went on to signal caution, warning his colleague that all that glitters isn't gold amid the Barca speculation.
“There is a tide that seems that when Barça want you there is a logic that seems that you have to go to Barça and if you don’t you are making a mistake," he continued.
“Many times you have to take into account that all that glitters is not gold and you have to assess where we are,” he added.
Nico Williams' potential move to Barcelona this summer could be quite sensational. After impressing at the Euros - alongside Lamine Yamal - with whom he demonstrated a decent chemistry and telepathic connection - many are convinced that both players are destined to play together in the Catalan capital someday.
Barcelona's pre-season fixtures and La Liga opener in view
Barcelona will kick off their pre-season with a clash with Manchester City on July 31. That will be followed with matches versus Real Madrid and AC Milan before they round it up with a clash with Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 12.
Going forward, Hansi Flick's men will step into the new La Liga season with their opening fixture pitting them against Valencia - albeit away from home on August 12. They will then face Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano, Real Valladolid and Girona in their next four games.
After watching their arch-rivals Real Madrid claim the league title last season, the Blaugrana will be desperate to return to the pinnacle of Spanish football next term. It remains to be seen if Hansi Flick can fire them to glory in his debut campaign.