Barcelona appears to be edging closer to the signing of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, having agreed personal terms with the 22 year old Spain international.
Williams, a breakout star of Euro 2024, is keen to join the Catalan giants and reunite with close friend and national teammate Lamine Yamal. However, the deal is not yet finalized, as Barcelona face significant financial hurdles before the transfer can be completed.
Williams reportedly agreed to a six-year contract during a recent meeting with Barca sporting director Deco in Ibiza. The winger has a €62m (£53m) release clause in his current deal with Athletic Bilbao, which Barcelona are willing to activate.
The move would come after a standout season in which Williams scored 11 goals and played a key role in guiding Bilbao to both the Champions League and the Europa League semi-finals.
The winger’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich also expressing interest this summer. However, his desire to play for Barcelona fueled in part by his relationship with Yamal and his dream of donning the Blaugrana shirt has made Camp Nou his preferred destination.
Despite the personal agreement and Barcelona’s willingness to meet the release clause, the club’s financial situation continues to cast doubt over their ability to register new players. Due to La Liga’s strict financial fair play regulations particularly the “1:1 rule” that limits spending to actual revenue, Barcelona must make room in their wage bill before the move can be officially processed.
Earlier this year, La Liga even blocked Barcelona’s registration of Dani Olmo after signing him from RB Leipzig, before Spain’s National Sports Council intervened to overrule the decision. A similar scenario could unfold with Williams unless Barcelona swiftly addresses their budgetary issues. President Joan Laporta has maintained the club will remain compliant, but progress has been slow amid Nou Camp renovation costs and limited incoming revenue.
Barcelona’s only confirmed signing this summer so far is Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, whose €25m transfer was announced recently. But even his registration remains pending under La Liga’s regulations.
