Why did Athletic winger Nico Williams turn down a move to Barcelona?

22 players will take to the field in Montjuïc when Barcelona face Athletic Club in LaLiga on Saturday (August 24), although many eyes will be focused on one of them in particular: Nico Williams. The winger, one of the stars of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning team, has been a transfer target for Barça all summer, although sporting director Deco has revealed the 22-year-old has turned down a move to Catalonia.

Barça have made no secret of their interest in the Athletic attacker. President Joan Laporta stated his €58 million ($64.47 million) release clause wouldn’t be an obstacle, and LaLiga boss Javier Tebas even confirmed they had enough financial wiggle room to sign him.

Williams’ friendship with Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal was one of the secondary stories of Spain’s European Championship victory, to such an extend that Athletic complained to the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) about constant interview questions suggesting the international teammates should also link up at club level.

The reasons Nico Williams rejected Barcelona

But why, after a lengthy pursuit, did Williams decide to turn down Barcelona, considered one of European and world soccer’s elite clubs?

Loyalty to Athletic Club

The reasons are several, although his entourage - and loyalty - has had a huge role to play. Brother Iñaki, another Athletic star, and his parents encouraged Williams Jr to be up front at all times with his current employers, who gave him his big chance to shine. Since joining the Athletic academy from Osasuna’s in 2013, the club has done everything possible to give him a platform to reach the level he has, which Williams is well aware of.

First European campaign with Athletic, potential Bilbao final

Williams will play for Athletic in Europe for the first time in 2024/25, with the Basques having qualified for the league phase of the Europa League. And on top of that, the final of the competition will be played at San Mamés in Bilbao, another important factor which has influenced his decision.

Barcelona’s public chase and registration doubts

Finally, Barcelona’s very public chase isn’t though to have helped, especially with there being no guarantee they would be able to register Williams to play in LaLiga, even if they had signed him. Dani Olmo wasn’t available to play in the first game of the season at Valencia for that very reason, with Barça still trying to make space for him on their wage bill.

Contradicting Laporta, Víctor Font, who was second in Barcelona’s last presidential elections, claimed the club doesn’t have the financial means to sign Williams at present. “I wish we could sign Nico Williams because that is what we need. The president has said it is possible, but that is not true. It cannot be done today. We hope it will be possible tomorrow. But today it is not,” he said.

Williams in no rush to leave Athletic Club

Williams signed a new Athletic contract until 2027, although many believe he will leave the club he has shown his commitment to before then. For now, though, the winger is in no rush to leave and believes another impressive season in 2024/25 will leave him in a strong position when his future is inevitably discussed again next summer.