Barcelona’s long-standing pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has run into an unexpected hurdle, just weeks before the club had planned to trigger his €62 million release clause.
After last summer’s failed move, hopes had been high that the 2024 deal would be completed smoothly, especially after the player, via his agent Felix Tainta, confirmed his desire to join the Catalan giants.
But according to a new report from Mundo Deportivo, negotiations have stalled, frustrating both the player’s camp and Barcelona’s sporting leadership.
What’s Holding Up the Deal?
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A verbal agreement was in place: both parties had agreed on a six-year contract and salary terms, effectively reviving the deal that had collapsed in 2023.
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Negotiations stalled at formalisation: Once it came time to put the verbal terms into writing, the talks hit a deadlock. The key issue? Registration guarantees.
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Nico’s agent demands written assurances that the player will be properly registered with La Liga without delay—something Barcelona is currently unable to guarantee.
Barcelona’s recent difficulties registering players like Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions are weighing heavily on this negotiation. Nico’s team is wary of signing without clear legal protections.
Barcelona’s Position
Barcelona has verbally reassured the player that their financial situation is improving, and that he will be registered in time for the 2024–25 season. But Nico’s camp wants those assurances in writing, which the club currently considers unacceptable and risky, given La Liga’s strict oversight.
This hesitation has frustrated the Barça board, who now fear the move could collapse if no compromise is found.
Tensions With Athletic Club
Poor relations between Barcelona and Athletic Club are also inflaming the situation. The Basque club has:
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Publicly scrutinised Barça’s ability to register players, meeting with La Liga last week.
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Condemned comments by Barça sporting director Deco, who admitted to ongoing talks with Nico’s agent.
Athletic are said to prefer losing Nico to Bayern Munich over selling him to Barcelona.
Bayern Munich Waiting in the Wings
While Nico’s first choice remains Barcelona, Bayern Munich is watching closely. The Bundesliga champions are reportedly willing to:
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Pay the full €62 million release clause, with no registration or financial concerns.
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Offer a competitive sporting project and salary.
What’s Next?
The outcome now depends heavily on Nico Williams’ own determination to join Barcelona. If he’s willing to ease his stance on registration guarantees, the deal could still go through after July 1, when his clause becomes formally active.
If not, Bayern Munich could swoop in, and Athletic Club would likely cooperate fully with the German side.
Bottom Line
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Deal status: On hold – registration assurances remain the key sticking point.
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Player preference: Barcelona, but Bayern are very much in the picture.
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Deadline to watch: July 1 (release clause activation).
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Barcelona’s risk: Losing another top talent to financial constraints and bureaucratic delay.
If Barcelona fails to finalize the move, it will not just be a loss on the pitch—it will be another public setback for a club struggling to regain its transfer market clout amid ongoing financial instability.
