In a stunning turn of events, Nico Williams, the 22-year-old Athletic Club winger who dazzled at Euro 2024, has signed a new long-term contract with his boyhood club until June 2035, effectively ending speculation about a move to FC Barcelona.
The deal, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano earlier today, includes a release clause that is more than 50% higher than before, along with a significant salary increase.
This follows a saga where Nico Williams’ agent met Barcelona Sporting Director Deco, agreed on personal terms, and even reportedly accepted an initial wage cut to aid registration, only for the move to collapse, leaving fans, analysts, and journalists puzzled.
Why did Nico Williams, who seemingly wanted to join Barcelona, end up staying in Bilbao again? Here are three possible explanations.
1: Barcelona’s Persistent Registration Woes
FC Barcelona’s well-documented financial struggles may have ultimately cost them the signing. The club’s ongoing issues with La Liga’s financial fair play regulations continue to restrict their ability to register new players.
This is not just theoretical. Last season, the club failed to register Dani Olmo in time, and more recently, La Liga president Javier Tebas publicly stated that Barcelona would not currently be able to register Nico Williams if they signed him.
Knowing this, Nico may have had legitimate concerns about whether the move could realistically go through. Aware of Olmo’s ordeal, and without solid guarantees, he may have opted for the security and stability of Athletic Club, where he’s a guaranteed starter and central to the club’s long-term plans.
2: A Strategic Power Play
Another possibility is that Williams never seriously intended to leave. Instead, he may have used Barcelona’s interest to strengthen his bargaining position in contract talks with Athletic.
Athletic Club, famous for its Basque-only policy and unwillingness to sell stars, would be particularly motivated to keep a homegrown talent like Nico. With the pressure mounting, the club responded with a lucrative extension, effectively securing his continuity.
This wouldn’t be the first time Nico used transfer interest to his advantage. Last summer, he engaged with Barcelona, stoking speculation, only to renew his contract on improved terms.
The pattern repeated this summer: his agent reached out to Deco, met to discuss terms, and even agreed to a wage cut to aid Barcelona’s registration plans. The buzz intensified, fans got excited, but once again, it ended with a new deal at San Mamés and a potentially higher wage for Nico Williams.
If this was a calculated negotiation tactic, it worked brilliantly.
3: Family Pressure and a Change of Heart
A third explanation centers on family ties, especially his older brother, Iñaki Williams, who remains a vital figure at Athletic Club. The Williams brothers grew up in Bilbao and have often spoken about their close relationship and love for the club.
It’s possible that, despite initial enthusiasm about the Barcelona project, Nico reconsidered at the last minute due to emotional and family factors. Staying at Athletic means preserving their shared legacy and remaining close to the people who’ve supported him since the start.
This could explain the sudden U-turn and the tone of his post-renewal comments.
The Heart of the Matter
After the announcement, Nico Williams said:
“When it comes to making decisions, for me, the most important thing is to listen to your heart. I am where I want to be, with my people. This is my home.”
But these words raise an obvious question. If his heart was always in Bilbao, why initiate contact with Barcelona in the first place? Reports suggest Barcelona were not actively pursuing Williams; the approach came from his camp. His agent met Deco, agreed on terms, and pushed to make the deal work.
So was this really a heartfelt renewal, or a strategic play masked by sentimental PR?
At this stage, the truth remains unclear. It could be a mix of all three factors: Barcelona’s financial chaos, smart contract negotiation, and deep-rooted family ties.
Whatever the real reason, one thing is clear: for the second summer in a row, Nico Williams has outplayed Barcelona, not on the pitch, but in the negotiation room.
