Earlier in the summer, Barcelona almost signed Nico Williams from Athletic Club, after they indicated their intention to pay his release clause. They were ready to splash € 58 million to do the deal, but in the end there was a total agreement and the Spain International would eventually connect a new 10-year deal in San Mames.
Barcelona was not going to move to Williams this summer, after being rejected by him 12 months earlier. But after his agent had opened the door for a deal, they made strong arrangements. In principle, an agreement on personal conditions was reached, but before the Catalans were able to pay his release clause, the 22-year-old changed thoughts and signed a new deal with Athletic.
As part of that new contract, the Vrijgav clause from Williams was increased. Barcelona was able to sign him for € 58 million, but in the future he can only be appreciated away from athletics if a fee in the region of € 90 million is paid, according to ED.
After being agreed by Williams after the summers of 2024 and 2025, and that is why they have stated that they will never try to sign him again. His new release clause of € 90 million means that it would have been difficult anyway, especially while their well-documented financial misery remains.
However, that release clause could still seduce clubs from the Premier League, which have also shown interest in Williams in recent years. But for now it is not expected that someone will look to take him away from Athletic – and given the contract length he has signed in Bilbao, it is not expected that he wants to leave.
Athletic will be happy that they still have Williams in their books, and they will hope that he will be at his best during the coming season 2025-26.