Published on Jul 01, 2025
Barcelona's pursuit of Athletic Club star Nico Williams is on the brink of collapse, despite the Catalan club activating the winger’s €58 million release clause. While personal terms have been agreed and Williams is reportedly eager to join Barça, the deal is currently stalled by a combination of La Liga registration concerns, financial fair play restrictions, and contractual complications raised by the player’s agent.
The situation, once seen as a formality, has become one of the most contentious and closely-watched transfer sagas of the summer.
Despite formally triggering Nico Williams’ release clause, Barcelona have yet to finalize the transfer due to several unresolved issues.
Barcelona remain under tight financial restrictions and must first ensure they can register Williams without breaching salary cap rules. This issue has plagued the club for several seasons, and Athletic Club has reportedly raised formal concerns with La Liga regarding Barça’s compliance.
Williams’ agent, Félix Tainta, is demanding strict legal guarantees that the player will be registered immediately upon arrival. These terms are designed to protect Williams from a repeat of situations where signings were delayed or blocked due to Barcelona’s financial mismanagement. However, Barça are hesitant to accept a “no registration, no deal” clause, citing its legal complexity and precedent risks.
The transfer has sparked tension between the two clubs. Athletic’s leadership and former players have accused Barcelona of conducting business without full transparency. Rafa Alkorta, former sporting director of Athletic, criticized the Catalans, stating, “There’s always something shady when it comes to Barcelona’s transfers.”
In Bilbao, fans have expressed frustration over the handling of the saga, with murals featuring Williams defaced and club legends calling for stronger protection of local talent.
Despite the complications, Nico Williams has made it clear—he wants to play for Barcelona. Reports from Spanish media confirm he has already agreed to a long-term contract running until 2031. The winger sees Barça as the ideal next step in his career, especially after an outstanding season with Athletic and a solid showing with Spain at international level.
Barcelona are reportedly working to resolve their internal registration constraints and aim to complete the deal before Athletic’s pre-season camp begins on July 9. However, without clearance from La Liga or adjustments to their wage structure, the deal risks collapsing at the final hurdle.
If Barcelona fail to register Williams or agree to the agent’s terms, the player may be forced to remain in Bilbao—despite his desire to move. This outcome would be a significant blow to Barcelona’s summer transfer plans and to their hopes of reinforcing the left wing ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.
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