Barcelona's intended signing of Nico Williams unexpectedly called off
In a surprising turn of events, Nico Williams' decision to extend his contract with Athletic Club until 2035 has left FC Barcelona's plans for a potential winger reshuffle in limbo. The announcement of Williams' renewal, made on the former Twitter platform, marked a significant milestone in Athletic Club's history and a resounding success for the club.
Initially, Barcelona had shown interest in the young winger, aiming to meet his €62 million release clause to strengthen their left wing. However, negotiations faltered, and another European club with greater financial capacity signed Williams, thwarting Barcelona's attempts to secure his services.
As a result, Raphinha's position and role in the team remain secure for now, according to Hansi Flick's vision. Despite the speculation and Barcelona's interest in adding another winger, Raphinha maintains his status as the undisputed starting winger, primarily on the right side, while the club continues to seek additional attacking options without displacing him.
The renewal of Williams' contract at Athletic Club, referred to as a "full-fledged Athletic WIN (Williams, Inaki and Nico)", means that Raphinha's potential positional change or future at FC Barcelona has not been influenced or constrained by Williams' situation.
Meanwhile, the renewal has implications for Raphinha's positional competition. With Williams staying put at Athletic Club, Dani Olmo could potentially move to a false 9 position if Raphinha shifts to a CAM berth, which may phase out Robert Lewandowski, who is believed to be approaching his final season at FC Barcelona and may move to Saudi Arabia.
Nico Williams, a winger for the Spanish national team, won Euro 2024 alongside teammate Lamine Yamal. His release clause has increased by more than 50% due to the renewal, with the new figure exceeding $100 million. Williams, expressing his desire to stay at Athletic Club, stated, "I am where I want to be, with my people. This is my home."
In a previous report, Williams was said to have agreed to join FC Barcelona until 2031, earning €7-8 million per year. However, the renewal means Williams will no longer be moving to FC Barcelona this summer, ending the club's pursuit of the player.
Despite this setback, FC Barcelona continues its search for additional attacking options, keeping the door open for potential new signings in the future.
In the aftermath of Nico Williams' contract extension with Athletic Club, FC Barcelona's pursuit of a new winger has come to a halt. The increase in Williams' release clause, now exceeding $100 million, may discourage other clubs from attempting to recruit him. On the other hand, the European leagues continue to witness intriguing transfer developments as the summer transfer window approaches, with FC Barcelona still actively seeking other promising attacking talents.
