Ernesto Valverde is confident Inaki Williams will stay at Athletic Bilbao but admits talks over a contract extension are “taking longer than it should”.
The pacey forward, whose current deal expires next year and can be bought out for €20m, has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool in recent days, but the Coach revealed Los Leones were doing all they could to meet his demands.
“We’re working hard [to extend Williams’ contract],” he said at a Press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Barcelona in La Liga.
“The club are trying to close the deal, but it’s taking longer than it should.
“I hope it’ll be resolved soon. The club are also working hard for him to stay.
“His talent and goals would be very difficult to replace.”
Valverde also confirmed Borja Viguera would be staying at Athletic following Kike Sola’s departure to Middlesbrough.
The striker joined the English Championship leaders on loan until the end of the season on Friday, having been deemed surplus to requirements.
