Nico Williams of Athletic Club has snubbed Barcelona for the second consecutive year after agreeing to a new contract with the Basque team. It appeared that the 22-year-old would join the Catalan team this summer following weeks of intense negotiations between Barcelona and the player’s team. Los Leones has now offered the Spanish winger a 10-year contract.
💥 Nico Williams renueva con el Athletic Club hasta 2035.
El extremo rojiblanco se vincula al club de su corazón durante las próximas diez temporadas y su cláusula de rescisión aumenta más de un 50%. #NicoWilliams2035 #AthleticWIN 🦁
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) July 4, 2025
What went wrong?
Athletic Club unexpectedly revealed on Friday morning that Williams has inked a new deal with his boyhood team. According to sources, the Catalan team had reached a personal agreement with Williams, and the 22-year-old was anticipated to be revealed as a new Barcelona player in the upcoming weeks. The Spain international has committed to San Mames for a whopping ten years, through the summer of 2035.
❤️🤍 Nico Williams: “I am where I want to be, with my people, my 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆. I decided with my 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕”.@AthleticClub 🎥 pic.twitter.com/dslr0uQb4A
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2025
And this is what Nico said: “My heart is the most important factor to me when making decisions. This is my home, where I want to be with my people. “Aupa Athletic!”
According to Athletic, Williams’ release clause, which was apparently set at €58 million, will increase by more than 50% as a result of the contract extension. Barcelona’s summer window ambitions will be severely harmed by the news. Williams was their top transfer target, but he turned down a move to Catalunya once more, so the team will have to explore elsewhere.
🚨❤️🤍 BREAKING: Nico Williams signs new long term deal at Athletic Club until June 2035!
The agreement includes new release clause for +50% compared to €58m previous one and salary increase.
⛔️ Barcelona deal OFF due to registration issues. pic.twitter.com/Ew5odMQqzL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2025
On X, Fabrizio Romano stated “Barcelona deal OFF due to registration issues.”
However, it looks like Chelsea has been approved to recruit Marc Casadó from Barcelona this summer. Before establishing himself as a mainstay under Hansi Flick, the 21-year-old midfielder was briefly linked to a move to Stamford Bridge. Casadó made 23 appearances in La Liga last season, contributing three assists and one goal. His contract at Camp Nou expires in June 2028. Before sustaining a ligament injury in March, the Spain international was a vital member of the team, protecting the backline. Barcelona executives are huge supporters of the young player, but they don’t think he’ll start next season, so they might be willing to cash in, according to Spanish publication Sport. Casadó has ‘gotten the eye’ of numerous Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, the source states.
Also Read: Gukesh Defeats Magnus Carlsen Once Again Days After He Called Him One Of The Weaker Players
