Nico Williams rejects Barcelona and signed a contract extension at Bilbao till 2035 increasing his RC by 50% to 90M.

 

One of the biggest U turns in recent history in transfers

Nico Williams, the 22-year-old sensation from Athletic Bilbao, shocked the football world by rejecting a move to Barcelona and signing a new ten-year contract with Bilbao until 2035. Barcelona had been chasing him aggressively, with their sporting director Deco claiming the player wanted the move and president Joan Laporta preparing to activate his €58 million release clause. Even Nico’s Spain teammates Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde were personally urging him to join.

However, Barcelona’s ongoing financial troubles made the transfer tricky. They could not guarantee they would register Nico in time, which raised concerns for the player’s agent. Athletic Bilbao even filed complaints to LaLiga about Barcelona’s financial position. In response, Nico’s camp reportedly requested an exit clause if registration failed, which Barcelona refused. That stalled the deal.

On July 4, 2025, Bilbao made a dramatic announcementNico had signed a long-term renewal until 2035 with a much higher release clause between €95 and €100 million. The club praised the decision as a massive victory, branding it the “Athletic WIN,” a reference to the Williams brothers. Nico declared his loyalty, saying he chose with his heart and was staying where he belonged. He later painted “2035” on a mural in Bilbao, cementing the moment.

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During the Barcelona transfer rumours, not all Athletic Bilbao fans were happy with Nico. Some went as far as vandalising a mural of Nico and his brother Iñaki, even erasing Nico’s face. Iñaki responded on social media, calling the act “small” and “disrespectful.” There were also unverified claims of threats and hate messages directed at Nico during the saga.

Despite the backlash, Nico’s commitment to the club stunned many. While some praised his loyalty, others called it a lack of ambition. One fan on social media summed up the divide, tweeting that Nico stayed “despite being insulted,” which they saw as admirable, while others questioned why he passed on the bigger stage.

Still, Nico’s impact is undeniable. Since debuting at 18, he has made 167 appearances, scored 31 goals, and was key in helping Athletic win the 2024 Copa del Rey ending a 40-year drought and qualifying for the Champions League. On the international front, he starred for Spain at Euro 2024, scoring in the final against England.

Barcelona now find themselves scrambling for alternatives, reportedly considering Marcus Rashford and Luis Díaz. Meanwhile, Athletic fans minus the mural vandals are celebrating. Nico’s contract locks him in for his prime years, and with a massive release clause, only the richest clubs can dream of prying him away. In an era of flashy transfers and short-term deals, Nico’s decade-long commitment is a rare show of loyalty and confidence in his hometown club’s future.