In one of the most unexpected twists of the 2025 summer transfer window, Nico Williams, a key figure in Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, has opted to extend his contract with Athletic Club until 2035 — leaving FC Barcelona empty-handed and frustrated.
Barcelona’s pursuit of the 22-year-old winger was no secret. For weeks, the club worked behind the scenes to bring Williams to Camp Nou. Yet, despite reportedly agreeing on personal terms and being willing to activate his €60 million release clause, the transfer fell apart at the final hurdle.
Here’s how a dream move turned into a saga of tension, negotiation, and loyalty.
A Dream Signing for Barcelona
Barcelona fans had every reason to be optimistic. Williams — young, fast, technically gifted, and already showing brilliant chemistry with Lamine Yamal on the national team — fit the mold of Barça’s next-generation attack. Club president Joan Laporta even teased the media with hints of an “exciting” signing.
Sources close to the deal confirmed that Barcelona had a verbal agreement in place with Williams and his camp. The player wanted the move. The club wanted the player. But in the world of modern football, want isn’t always enough.
Financial Constraints Strike Again
Barcelona’s well-known financial problems reared their head once more. Although the club could afford to pay the release clause, La Liga’s strict salary cap regulations made it difficult to register new signings.
To safeguard his client, Williams’ agent, Felix Tainta, requested a special clause in the contract. This clause would allow the winger to leave for free if Barcelona failed to register him by a specific date — essentially a safety net to avoid administrative limbo.
Barcelona’s response? A firm no.
Deco, Laporta & the Line That Couldn’t Be Crossed
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco and other senior figures saw the clause as too risky. They had allowed similar arrangements in past cases, but in a tightening financial climate and under scrutiny from La Liga president Javier Tebas, this was a line they refused to cross.
Negotiations stalled. And then came the bombshell.
The Athletic Club Contract Extension: 2035
On July 4, Athletic Club officially announced that Nico Williams had signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until 2035. His release clause jumped to €90 million, and he became the highest-paid player in the club’s history, reportedly earning €10 million annually (net).
The club released a powerful video of Williams spray-painting “2035” on a mural in Bilbao — a clear message of loyalty and pride. In his own words, “I am where I want to be, with my people.”
Barcelona’s Reaction: Finger Pointing and Frustration
Sources inside Barcelona were shocked. Many players reportedly found out via social media. Senior executives privately blamed Tainta, claiming his demands were “unrealistic” and “unworkable.” The requested clause, they said, was too risky given the club’s current financial position.
For fans, it was a bitter moment — not only because of the missed signing, but because it served as a reminder that Barça still can’t fully compete in today’s transfer market without compromise.
Athletic Club’s Victory and a New Era
For Athletic Club, this was a statement win. Club president Jon Uriarte had long promised that the Basque club could retain top talents. Thanks to favorable regional tax laws and growing commercial power, he has delivered on that promise.
Williams’ decision was as much about identity and belonging as it was about football. His strong family ties, including his older brother Iñaki Williams, played a huge role in his choice to stay in Bilbao.
What This Means for Barcelona and the Market
The collapse of the Williams transfer raises broader questions:
Can Barcelona fix its financial situation fast enough to attract top-tier players? Will other young stars follow Williams’ example and stay loyal to their home clubs? Can loyalty coexist with ambition in today’s football economy?
For now, Nico Williams remains in Bilbao, a hometown hero. Meanwhile, Barcelona must regroup, rethink, and find new strategies to rebuild under manager Hansi Flick.