Nico Williams Stuns Barcelona with Long-Term Commitment to Athletic Club

What seemed like a never-ending transfer saga now has a surprising—and for Barcelona, rather bitter—ending. Nico Williams has officially turned down a highly anticipated move to Camp Nou by signing a shock long-term contract extension with Athletic Club.

The 22-year-old winger, one of Spain’s brightest talents, has committed his future to his boyhood club until 2035, putting an emphatic end to months of speculation. On Friday morning, Athletic Club took everyone by surprise by announcing the blockbuster 10-year extension. This wasn’t just a symbolic nod to loyalty either—the new deal comes with a hefty raise in his release clause, reportedly over 50% more than the previous one. It’s a firm message from both club and player: Williams is staying in Bilbao. 

This decision will no doubt sting in Barcelona. Reports had been swirling for weeks that personal terms between the player and the Catalan giants were already agreed, with the club preparing to trigger his €62 million release clause. Many believed it was only a matter of time before Williams was unveiled in a Blaugrana shirt. But concerns about Barcelona’s financial situation and their ability to register new players under La Liga’s strict salary rules ultimately proved to be a major hurdle. 

Nico Williams: “I am where I want to be, with my people, my . I decided with my ,@AthleticClub pic.twitter.com/dslr0uQb4A

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2025

Williams, for his part, seemed unshaken by the buzz. Upon signing his new contract, he shared, “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.” 

Huge blow for Barcelona

There’s no denying that this twist is a win for Athletic Club, and they weren’t shy about it. Alongside their announcement, they cheekily added the hashtag #AthleticWIN, a not-so-subtle jab at Barcelona. The two clubs have had a bit of a cold war brewing since last summer, but things escalated this year as Barça made a stronger push for the Spanish winger. Athletic even contacted La Liga to scrutinize Barça’s finances, highlighting just how serious—and contentious—this pursuit became. 

For Barcelona, this is a major setback in their search for a new attacking threat. The club has already struggled to finalize key transfers due to financial restrictions, and missing out on Williams will narrow their options. Luis Díaz of Liverpool was previously on their radar, but his asking price proved too steep. Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who is reportedly keen on a move to Spain, may now become their plan B. 

In the end, while Barcelona continue scrambling for reinforcements, it’s Athletic Club and their fans who are celebrating—not just a retained star, but a decade-long declaration of loyalty.