Barcelona must look elsewhere for new winger as Nico Williams signs spectacular new contract at Athletic Bilbao

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Nico Williams signs a new contract with Athletic Bilbao until the summer of 2035, ending Barcelona's hopes of signing him.

Nico Williams has penned a new contract with Athletic Bilbao until the summer of 2035, ending Barcelona's hopes of signing him during the current market.

For the second successive summer, the Spain international's future has been the subject of much speculation, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool among the clubs linked with his signature.

This was expected to be the transfer window that Williams moved on, with Barcelona seemingly making progress when it came to a deal for the 22-year-old.

However, Athletic announced on Friday morning that Williams has penned a new contract until 2035, while his release clause now stands at €116m (£100m).

"Nico Williams renews his contract with Athletic Club until 2035. The red and white winger is linked to the club of his heart for the next ten seasons and his release clause increases by more than 50% of what it had," read a statement from the club.

Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams pictured on March 13, 2025

Williams rejects Barca to sign new Athletic deal

"When decisions have to be made, for me, what weighs most is the heart. I'm where I want to be, with my people, this is my home. Aupa Athletic!" said Williams in a video.

Athletic continued in their statement: "The step forward Nico Williams has taken with this renewal fills the entire Athletic Club family with pride and paints a picture of a future as ambitious as it is exciting. This is the famous Athletic, the famous Athletic Club."


According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, registration issues prevented Barcelona from completing a deal, while he is also thought to have turned down a concrete offer from Bayern.

Williams has scored 31 goals and registered 30 assists in 167 appearances for Athletic in all competitions, including 11 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances last term, and he will play in the Champions League for the club in 2025-26.

Marcus Rashford for Manchester United on May 25, 2024

What now for Barcelona?

Barcelona are determined to bring a new left-sided forward to the club this summer, as it is seen as a weak area of the squad.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford continues to be linked with a switch to Camp Nou, and the Catalan giants could now step up their interest in the Englishman following the Williams news.

Whether Barcelona are willing to complete a permanent deal for Rashford is another matter, though, with the club only thought to be interested in an initial loan move for the forward.

Rashford is due back at Man United at the start of next week for pre-season training, but he has no future under Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim and is set to leave this summer.


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Written by
Matt Law

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