The Spanish transfer scene was rocked as Nico Williams, previously rumored to be heading to FC Barcelona, unexpectedly committed his future to Athletic Bilbao with a contract extension running until 2035.
The 22-year-old forward was close to moving to the La Liga side — all signs pointed towards a transfer going through smoothly. However, in an unexpected turn of events, he chose to remain faithful to the team he grew up supporting, agreeing to a decade-long contract renewal. "This is where I belong, surrounded by those who matter most to me. This place means everything," Williams expressed passionately in a clip shared by Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona taken aback... and enraged
Barcelona claims they were completely unaware of the sudden change, according to RAC1. It's said that they found out about Williams' choice at the same time as the public, via Athletic's formal statement. Although discussions over the contract encountered some obstacles, Barcelona remained optimistic until things unexpectedly fell apart.
Nico, Barça says: not anymore
RAC1 further reports that Nico was actually the one who first reached out to Barcelona—a revelation made even more surprising by his sudden reversal. As a result, the club now reportedly believes he has acted disloyally. According to an alleged statement from someone close to Barça: "That door will never open again."
Buyout clause raised
In line with the extension, Williams' buyout clause has been raised from €58 million to almost €90 million, sending a strong message from Bilbao. The club is determined to keep hold of their key player—and ensuring everyone in Europe understands he’s not available for a bargain price.
It seems the Nico-to-Barcelona dream has been put on hold—for now at least.
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