Barcelona director **Deco** made it clear that **Nico’s friendship with Lamine Yamal** had nothing to do with the transfer decision. He said the club was already interested in Nico last season and that while their friendship is a nice bonus, Barcelona only signs players based on talent and fit — not personal relationships.
Despite Athletic’s efforts to keep him with a new contract, **Nico believes it’s time for a new challenge**. Talks with Barcelona began in mid-June, and the two sides have reached a **personal agreement** — a **five-year contract until 2031**, with a **salary of around €7–8 million per year**.
However, **La Liga’s financial rules** are still a challenge for Barcelona. They need to make room in their wage bill before registering Nico.
Athletic Bilbao is also standing firm: they want the **full clause paid upfront**, with no payment plans. Meanwhile, **Bayern Munich** has shown interest too, and Athletic would prefer selling to them because of better financial conditions.
Still, **Barcelona is optimistic** they’ll complete the signing soon.
