Nico Williams has rejected a potential move to FC Barcelona and signed a new contract with Athletic Club that runs until 2035. The 22-year-old winger had been strongly linked to Barcelona, who were reportedly ready to activate his €62 million release clause. Talks reached an advanced stage, with both sides believed to have agreed to terms. However, the deal broke down over the issue of player registration, which Barcelona could not guarantee in writing.
Despite expectations that the deal would still go through, Nico made a surprising decision to remain at Athletic Club. The announcement came via a club video, where he expressed his loyalty, saying he followed his heart and chose to stay with his people in the place he considers home.
The new contract replaces his previous deal, which was set to expire in 2027, and includes a major increase in his release clause—now estimated between €95 million and €100 million. Athletic Club confirmed the extension and praised the decision as a major win, using the hashtag #AthleticWIN to highlight the long-term commitment of both Nico and his brother, Iñaki Williams.
The move is especially notable given earlier reports that Nico had personally reached out to Barcelona through his agent after talks initially fell through. Athletic Club celebrated the development as a huge success, taking a subtle swipe at Barcelona with their announcement post.
Nico Williams now stands as a key figure in Athletic’s plans, with the club showing clear intent to build their future around him.
