Nico Williams Shocks Barcelona by Committing Future to Athletic Club

Nico Williams is staying with Athletic Club, turning down Barcelona to sign a long-term contract extension until 2035, and ending months of transfer speculation.

According to a previous report, he signed a new deal that runs until 2035.

WHAT LED TO THE DECISION?

Barcelona were ready to meet Williams‘ release clause of €58 million. However, the winger and his agent were not convinced by the club’s financial stability, especially over registration guarantees for new players. Williams ultimately chose loyalty to his boyhood club Athletic Club over the uncertainty at Barcelona.

A previous report confirmed that Athletic Club has a €58 million release clause for Nico Williams.

THE WIDER CONTEXT

Williams’ new contract raises his release clause to around €95-100 million, making it harder for clubs to prise him away from Bilbao. His decision is also a major boost for Athletic Club, who finished fourth in La Liga and secured Champions League qualification, as they did everything they could to persuade him to stay.

A previous report highlighted that his release clause has increased by more than 50%.

On the contrary, Barcelona will now need to find other alternatives before the end of the transfer window, with uncertainty still surrounding Robert Lewandowski’s future at the club.

LOOKING AHEAD

Athletic Club will be pleased to have secured Williams’ future in an attempt to build on last season’s superb campaign under Sole Olazabal, with the theme of togetherness prominent among the supporters. Nico Williams contributed 12 goals and 10 assists in 35 league appearances for Athletic Club in the 2024-25 season.

According to a previous report, Williams scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in La Liga last season.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, who finished as La Liga winners ahead of Real Madrid, must resolve their financial issues quickly, especially their current inability to guarantee player registration. Failure to do so will restrict them from making any new signings.