🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Athletic Bilbao’s president Jon Uriarte has made it clear to Barça. If Barcelona wants Nico Williams, they have to pay the full release clause (€62M). 💰🔵🔴 ❌ Athletic will NOT accept multiple installment payments and there will he NO negotiations for him, reports Bilbao’s journalist Juanma Velasco
Nico Williams’ Rapid Ascent and Growing Reputation:
Nico Williams has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, becoming one of the standout talents at Athletic Club and earning a prominent role with the Spanish national team. His impressive performances at Euro 2024 — where he dazzled fans with his pace, dribbling, and creativity — significantly boosted his reputation across Europe. These displays didn’t go unnoticed by some of the continent’s biggest clubs, and among them, FC Barcelona quickly emerged as the most serious contender interested in acquiring the young winger’s services.
Barcelona’s Early Interest in the Summer of 2024:
In the early stages of the 2024 summer transfer window, credible reports began to surface suggesting that Barcelona were preparing a formal approach for Nico. The club saw him as a crucial piece in their ongoing efforts to rebuild and rejuvenate the squad, first under Xavi and then under new head coach Hansi Flick. Nico’s ability to beat defenders, operate at blistering speed down the flanks, and create goal-scoring opportunities made him an ideal candidate to complement emerging star Lamine Yamal, forming a potentially explosive attacking duo.
A Major Hurdle – The €58 Million Release Clause:
However, any potential move was immediately complicated by the clear and firm stance of Athletic Club. The Basque side made it known that Nico Williams would not be sold through negotiation or a reduced fee. The only way he would be allowed to leave was if a club triggered his release clause, set at €58 million. Although this figure was not beyond Barcelona’s reach under normal circumstances, the club’s ongoing financial issues — heavily influenced by La Liga’s stringent Financial Fair Play regulations — made the situation far more delicate. Finding a way to pay such a large amount up front, while balancing the club’s already inflated wage bill, proved to be a serious challenge.
Nico’s Desire to Join Barcelona:
Despite these complications, Nico Williams was reportedly very open to the idea of moving to Barcelona. His desire to join was said to have grown even stronger after Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign, during which he shared the field and built strong chemistry with his friend and potential future teammate, Lamine Yamal. Barcelona fans were excited about the possibility of seeing the two young stars link up at club level, hoping it would inject renewed energy and creativity into the squad for the 2024/25 season.
Financial Constraints and Delayed Negotiations:
Although Barcelona’s leadership — particularly club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco — were eager to make the transfer happen, the club simply couldn’t put together the necessary funds in time. They explored a number of options, including restructuring payment plans and offloading current players to free up space on the wage bill. Despite these efforts, the club was unable to generate the required financial flexibility quickly enough. The clock kept ticking, and as the transfer window progressed, it became increasingly clear that the deal would not be finalized in time.
The Final Outcome – A Deal That Didn’t Materialize (Yet):
Ultimately, as the summer transfer window drew to a close, FC Barcelona were unable to complete the signing of Nico Williams. The winger remained at Athletic Club, where he continues to develop and play an important role for the team in Bilbao. Nonetheless, Barcelona have not given up on their pursuit. The club reportedly still sees Nico as a top target and may return with renewed efforts to sign him in a future transfer window — especially if their financial situation improves.
