What appeared to be a foregone conclusion less than a week ago is no longer the case: Nico Williams’ almost guranteed move to Barcelona this summer doesn’t appear to be as guaranteed as it looked, and there is increased optimism at Athletic Bilbao that they will retain their best player and one of the stars of Euro 2024.
Despite Barça’s willingness to pay Nico’s €58 million release clause and the player’s initial desire to join the Blaugrana over all other interested parties, Williams seems to have had doubts about Barça’s financial crisis and is also taking the advice of family and friends who have urged him to stay at Athletic for at least one more season.