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Barcelona are reportedly furious and deeply disappointed by Nico Williams's decision to extend his contract with Athletic Bilbao.
The Spanish winger was on the verge of completing his move to Barcelona this summer after agreeing to sign for the La Liga champions.
However, Williams backed out of a move to the Camp Nou for the second time at the last minute, closing the door permanently for the young winger.
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10:18 - 04.07.2025
Boost for Rashford, Lookman, as Barcelona miss out on first-choice target
Despite reaching agreement on verbal terms with Barcelona, Nico Williams has signed a contract extemsion with Athletic Club.
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09:16 - 29.06.2025
Nico Williams demands registration guarantees from Barça before completing transfer
Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams has asked for resignation assurance from Barcelona before completing his move.
Barcelona not happy with Williams' decision
The news of Williams's new contract, which ties him to the Basque club until 2035 and increases his release clause to between €95m and €100m, came as a shock to Barcelona, according to Catalan outlet "Sport" via Sportal.
The club's management had been in intense negotiations with Williams's agent, Felix Tainta, and were confident of securing the 22-year-old's signature.
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Spanish media had repeatedly reported on Williams's desire to leave Athletic for Barcelona and link up with his Spanish national teammate, Lamine Yamal.
However, warning signs emerged this week, particularly with reports of Tainta demanding written guarantees that Williams would be registered. This, coupled with Barcelona still operating outside of the 1:1 spending rule, proved to be major obstacles to the transfer.
Sources at Barcelona believe Williams's representatives acted in bad faith, using Barcelona's interest and offer as leverage to secure an improved contract with Athletic Bilbao. The club's hierarchy is particularly upset that Williams's team didn't even inform them of his final decision before it was made public.
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This last-minute surprise left Barcelona feeling betrayed and angry, especially after being in constant contact with Williams's representatives just hours before the news broke, "Sport" reports.
The disappointment echoes a similar situation from last year when Williams posed in Athletic's new kit shortly after expressing interest in joining Barcelona. This time, however, negotiations were much further along, and the club was convinced the deal would go through. Barcelona had even delayed paying the player's release clause until the following week to give Williams's camp more time.
Now, with the Williams saga concluded, Barcelona will reportedly turn their attention back to Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford in their search for a new left winger. It seems highly unlikely Barcelona will ever negotiate for Williams again, with the club's hierarchy feeling he publicly humiliated them.
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