Borja Sainz’s Return to Athletic Bilbao May Rely on Nico Williams’ Departure
Norwich City forward Borja Sainz could return to Athletic Bilbao this summer, but such a move may depend on another key player leaving the Basque club for one of Europe’s elite teams.
According to The Pink Un, Sainz is attracting widespread attention from clubs across Europe, making it unlikely that he will remain at Carrow Road under new head coach Liam Manning. Interest in the 24-year-old has surged, with the expectation that he will exit Norwich before the new season begins.
Napoli and Porto have already had offers for Sainz turned down. Sporting director Ben Knapper confirmed during Manning’s introductory press conference that Norwich rejected bids worth around £12.7 million, saying the offers fell short of their valuation for the attacker, who scored 18 goals last season.
Sainz is reportedly eager to return to Athletic Bilbao, where he began his career. The Pink Un previously identified the La Liga side as front-runners in the race to sign him. However, a move back to the Basque Country might hinge on whether 22-year-old Nico Williams departs the club.
Williams, who scored in Spain’s Euro 2024 final win over England, is being targeted by both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Williams prefers a move to Barcelona and has given the green light for the switch. Still, Bilbao are reluctant to let him go and have tabled a new contract offer in hopes of keeping him.
Due to Athletic’s strict policy of only signing players from the Basque region, they can offer lucrative wages to retain top talent. Williams is already earning over €200,000 per week, and a new deal could push that figure to around €250,000. Should he leave, Sainz is viewed as a suitable replacement, though Bilbao will face stiff competition from Napoli and Porto, who are expected to return with improved bids.
Norwich Must Consider Selling Sainz
Even if a return to Bilbao doesn’t materialize, Sainz won’t be short of options. With just a year remaining on his current contract, Norwich face a critical decision. Holding out could risk losing him for free next summer, while selling now could generate a sizable return.
The growing European interest gives Norwich an opportunity to create a bidding war and potentially boost the final transfer fee. In light of the circumstances, cashing in on Sainz this summer may ultimately benefit the club more than attempting to retain him long-term.
