Nico Williams has confirmed his openness to a move to Barcelona, with the Catalan club reportedly ready to meet his release clause to seal the transfer. So why the hold-up, and why could this saga turn sour?
Athletic Bilbao are determined to hold on to their prized asset and are exploring every avenue to keep the Spanish international at San Mamés. Club president Jon Uriarte has reportedly met with La Liga chief Javier Tebas to challenge the legitimacy of Barcelona’s transfer operations, particularly under the constraints of Financial Fair Play. Bilbao are questioning how a club still under financial scrutiny can afford to meet a substantial release clause.
The focus of the meeting has centred on whether Barcelona are currently operating within the financial parameters required by La Liga to register new players under the “one in, one out” rule. This ongoing issue has already cast a shadow over the Dani Olmo transfer, whose signing has faced similar complications due to these financial restrictions.
Tebas, who remains far from a fan favourite in Catalonia, has muted claims by Deco and Joan Laporta that Barcelona are operating within the league’s financial framework under the "one in, one out" rule, with the league unable to sanction the transfer providing Barcelona comply and finalize the one for one registration model.
This saga looks set to drag on, and by the time it’s resolved, Nico Williams might have racked up enough loyalty points for a testimonial at both clubs, or even be forced to pose with the hated half and half scarf post pre season. Even if Barcelona do trigger his €58 million release clause, Athletic Bilbao appear ready to throw everything they can at blocking the move.
They are expected to return to league officials should a player departure not materialise, with the club currently working behind the scenes to offload key assets in order to facilitate the move. Ansu Fati is off to Monaco, while long-serving goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen could be sacrificed to free up significant wages. Perhaps the most surprising name linked with a potential exit is Ronald Araújo, who has reportedly attracted strong interest from abroad. His departure would not only raise vital funds but also create the financial headroom necessary to register Nico Williams under La Liga’s stringent regulations.
The growing war of words and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring has created a toxic atmosphere between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona, with the saga morphing from a routine transfer chase into a battle of pride, policy, and power.
The Basque club will not fancy wanting to simply cash in and find a like-for-like replacement, given their long-standing policy of only signing players native to the Basque region or developed through their own academy system. Losing a talent like Nico Williams would be a major blow, not just on the pitch, but to the very identity of the club. Inevitably, this transfer saga threatens to impact Los Leones more profoundly than most, both in terms of squad strength and emotional resonance with the fanbase.
Nico Williams, meanwhile, finds himself in an increasingly awkward position. Revered in Bilbao, the longer this drags on, the more his reputation begins to suffer in his home region and among a fanbase that once adored him. The winger is now under mounting pressure to either push for a move or commit to new terms in the Basque Country, while both clubs continue to posture and play politics.
We can only wait and see to enjoy his link up in attack, with tensions hopefully between clubs and La Liga remaining strong.