Williams Rejects Barça, Commits to Athletic for a Decade

Nico Williams Stays Loyal

Nico Williams has officially signed a long-term contract with Athletic Club, choosing to remain with the Basque team despite interest from Barcelona. The new agreement will keep him with Athletic until 2035.

Barcelona’s Pursuit

Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, recently indicated that Williams had expressed a significant interest in joining the club, with president Joan Laporta confirming their willingness to meet his €58 million ($68.3 million) release clause. However, in an unexpected development, Athletic announced on Friday that they had secured Williams’s signature on a new contract, which includes a release clause that is now over 50% higher than before.

Heart Over Opportunity

At just 22 years old, the Spanish international has become a highly sought-after player, especially after Barça’s attempts to sign him last summer. Athletic had even lodged complaints with LaLiga regarding Barcelona’s financial maneuvers to derail the potential transfer. Despite the pressure, Williams chose to stay loyal to the club where he began his journey at the age of 11, playing alongside his brother, Iñaki Williams. In a heartfelt statement shared through Athletic’s social media, he expressed, “When it comes to making decisions, my heart weighs the most. I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home. Aupa Athletic!”

Since his debut in 2021, he has made 167 appearances and scored 31 goals for Athletic. He also contributed to their Copa del Rey victory in 2024, which ended a 40-year trophy drought. His impressive performances have made him a key player for Spain, earning 28 caps and scoring six goals, one of which was pivotal in their Euro 2024 final win over England.

With Williams off the market, Barcelona must now redirect their focus on acquiring new talent, including Liverpool’s Luis Díaz and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford as potential alternatives.