Both London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly keen on securing the signature of the winger.
He has notched three goals and provided six assists in his 21 league appearances this season, prompting both Premier League clubs to dispatch scouts to monitor his performances closely.
Nico Williams, the Arsenal are Chelsea target, sparked controversy with what some are calling the ‘dumbest red card ever seen,’ receiving two yellows in just 12 seconds.
NICO WILLIAMS 12 seconds of madness
The 21-year-old was shown a red card in the 40th minute of Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga encounter with Real Betis.
Williams was trying to defend a short corner taken by Betis when he collided awkwardly with Nabil Fekir, resulting in the Frenchman being brought down. Referee Guillermo Cuadra correctly issued a yellow card to Williams and awarded a potentially dangerous free-kick to Real Betis.
Following the yellow card, Williams displayed his inexperience, and possibly immaturity, by sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision and giving him a thumbs-up. This gesture didn’t sit well with the official, who promptly reached for his pocket to issue Williams a second yellow card, resulting in a subsequent red.
Williams was visibly stunned as he received his marching orders, shaking his head in disbelief as he made his way off the pitch at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.
According to thesun, some fans couldn’t believe what they had seen either with many unable to wrap their heads around Williams’ 12 seconds of madness.
Taking to social media one fan wrote: “Possibly the dumbest red card I have ever seen.”
While a second added: “He couldn’t make dissent look anymore obvious.”
And a third wrote: “That Nico Williams red card is very funny.”
Ultimately the red card cost Athletic Bilbao too as they went on to lose 3-1 to Real Betis allowing the Verdiblancos to make up valuable ground on their rivals for a European spot.
