Barcelona’s Pursuit Ends in Silence as Nico Williams Commits to Athletic Club

Nico Williams has signed a new long-term contract with Athletic Club, putting an end to rumours linking him with a move away this summer. The new deal will keep him at the club until 2035 and includes a significantly improved salary along with a new release clause, now reportedly over 50 percent higher than the previous €58 million figure.

The 21-year-old Spain international confirmed his decision in a statement that underlined his commitment to his roots. “I am where I want to be, with my people, at home. I made this decision with my heart,” said Williams.

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Barcelona had been in advanced talks with the player and had already agreed on personal terms. However, the deal stalled due to concerns over the club’s ability to register new signings under La Liga’s financial regulations. Williams was seeking written guarantees regarding his registration status and wanted clarity on a potential release clause in case of future complications, but those assurances were not provided.

According to reports from RAC1, the collapse of the transfer has damaged the relationship between Barcelona and Williams’ representatives. The report also claims that Barcelona were unaware of Athletic Club’s official announcement and only found out about the new contract through social media. Following this breakdown, Barcelona have reportedly decided not to reopen talks for Williams in the future.

With Williams no longer a target, Barcelona are now looking at other attacking options. The club is planning to revisit a move for Luis Díaz in the coming days. They made contact with Liverpool a month ago but were turned down, just as Bayern Munich had been. Despite that, Barcelona are expected to try again soon.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford is also being monitored. The England forward is said to be open to a move to Spain and could be an option if Barcelona choose to explore alternatives.

Nico Williams’ decision marks a significant moment in Athletic Club’s efforts to retain top talent. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Barcelona as they work within financial restrictions while trying to strengthen their squad for the season ahead.