Valverde Hopeful Athletic will keep Niko Williams, as he rejects Winjir Barcelona and Arsenal questions

Ernesto Valverde hopes that Niko Williams will remain in Bilbao athlete “for many years” amid speculation about the future of the Spanish star, enjoying another excellent season.

Williams played an important role in putting athletic on the UEFA Champions League qualification path and two games away from the European League final at their stadium in Saint Mames.

The 22 -year -old wing, which scored in Spain in Spain, the final victory over England last year, has 11 goals and seven decisive passes for his name this season.

It is said that it attracts attention from Barcelona, ​​Arsenal and Chelsea. However, it is understood that Valverde has no desire to lose it.

“Niko is a very important player for us, this is true,” Valverde said.

“After I had the season he got and won the euro with Spain, he had a great impact on him. There was speculation (last summer), but we hope he would be in a sport for many years.

“We hope it will be with us next season because we want the best players, of course.”

Speaking at a press conference before the European League semi -finals with Manchester United in Saint Mames, Valverde rejected suggestions to be the favorite athlete.

Athlete is fourth in La Liga and in an excellent position to demand one of the five -European Champions League qualifiers in La Liga. In contrast, United holds the worst season in the history of the Premier League, sitting in the fourteenth place with four games to play.

United needed an epic return in additional time to strike Lyon in the quarter -finals to keep their hopes to win the competition and qualify for the Champions League, but Valverde is still cautious about the threat posed by Robin Amorim.

He added: “We need to keep in mind that we are playing Manchester United, one of the largest teams in Europe.”

“They are able to win the European League in one minute. I don’t know who is the favorite.

“Manchester United is in an unexpected position. The prize is so big that all teams have an additional motive. We have the possibility of final playing here in our stadium and this is a boost.”

Williams expressed similar feelings to his coach, saying: “United always has very good players.

Regardless of what is happening in the Prime Minister, I think they have proven to be in the European League, they are very good in the European League.

“I think they have very good players and have a very good technical style, and they have a very good coach. We will do our best and we hope we will win and we hope everything will go well.”

When asked about the speculation surrounding him, Williams insisted that he focus only on the task of overcoming United.

“I don’t want to look further,” Williams said. “I have always wanted to play in European competition and feel important. I’m very happy here.”