Nico Williams’ exceptional form for Athletic Bilbao and standout performances at Euro 2024 placed him firmly on Barcelona’s radar. His pace, creativity, and chemistry with Lamine Yamal made him a top target for Barça’s ongoing rebuild under Hansi Flick.
Athletic Bilbao, however, stood firm: President Jon Uriarte stated that Barcelona must pay the full €62 million release clause upfront — no negotiations, no installments.
Despite Nico’s reported eagerness to join the Catalan giants after a successful Euro campaign, Barcelona’s financial constraints proved too significant. While club officials explored ways to generate funds and clear salary space — including selling current players — they failed to meet the deadline.
As a result, Nico remains at Bilbao, but Barcelona are expected to revisit the deal in future windows should their financial situation improve