Football
OFFICIAL: Nico Williams Snubs Barca – Pens Long-Term Deal with Athletic Club Until 2035
In a stunning twist to the summer transfer window, Spanish international Nico Williams has officially signed a new long-term contract with Athletic Club, committing his future to the Basque side until June 2035.
The highly sought-after winger had been heavily linked with a move to FC Barcelona, but sources confirm that the deal is off due to the Catalan club’s ongoing registration issues—a recurring hurdle caused by La Liga’s strict financial regulations.
What’s in the New Deal?
According to reports, Nico’s fresh agreement with Athletic includes:
A salary increase rewarding his rise to stardom. A significantly higher release clause—reportedly more than 50% above the previous €58 million tag, pushing it well beyond €85 million.
This effectively prices out most suitors and signals Athletic’s clear intent to build their project around the 21-year-old dynamo.
Why the Barcelona Deal Collapsed
Despite ongoing negotiations and strong interest from manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s inability to register players under La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules proved to be a deal-breaker. The Blaugrana were simply not in a position to trigger the winger’s clause or meet salary demands without offloading players.
Barcelona fans may be disappointed, but the collapse of the move was beyond technical ability—purely financial red tape sealed the decision.
What This Means Going Forward
Athletic Club cements its hold on one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers. Barcelona, once again, faces reality checks in the transfer market amid economic limitations. Clubs in England or Germany eyeing Nico now face a much steeper cost—financially and competitively.
Quick Facts – Nico Williams’ 2024/25 Season So Far:
11 goals
9 assists
La Liga Team of the Season nominee
Key player in Spain’s EURO 2024 run
Verdict:
This move is a huge statement from Athletic Club—and a clear message to Europe’s elite: if you want Nico, you’ll have to pay a premium.