Athletic Bilbao have taken a firm stance that threatens to derail Nico Williams’ proposed move to FC Barcelona, insisting the winger’s release clause must be paid in full and upfront, leaving the Catalan club facing a major financial obstacle.
Williams, 22, has already reached a personal agreement with Barcelona over a potential summer transfer.
However, despite the player’s willingness to join the La Liga giants, the deal has hit a major roadblock due to Athletic’s refusal to negotiate any form of instalment payment.
The Basque club are demanding the full €58 million release clause be paid in a single transaction, rejecting any possibility of spreading the cost over multiple instalments.
This uncompromising position directly contradicts earlier reports suggesting a potential agreement that could allow for more flexible payment terms.
Athletic’s decision represents a significant setback for Barcelona, who are navigating a tight financial landscape.
The club’s leadership had hoped to negotiate more favourable terms to secure the Spanish-Ghanaian international’s services but now find themselves in a delicate situation that could see them miss out on one of their top summer targets.
Tensions between the two clubs have been simmering for some time and appear to be resurfacing amid this latest development.
Relations deteriorated further on the final day of the La Liga season, when some Athletic supporters audibly booed Barcelona players during a guard of honour. The episode highlighted the increasingly strained ties between the two historic clubs.
Athletic Bilbao’s president has also not held back in public comments, making pointed remarks directed at Barcelona’s hierarchy, further complicating an already fraught negotiation environment.
Williams, regarded as one of the most promising attacking talents in Spain, has been a key figure for Athletic and the national team.
His pace, creativity, and technical skill have made him a top target for Barcelona as they seek to rejuvenate their forward line. However, with the current impasse over payment terms, his move to Camp Nou now appears far from guaranteed.
From Barcelona’s perspective, the financial demands come at a difficult time. The club continues to grapple with budget constraints and strict spending limits imposed by La Liga, making large one-time payments a significant challenge without offloading players or securing external financial support.
For now, the transfer remains on hold, with no indication that Athletic Bilbao are willing to soften their stance. Unless Barcelona can raise the required funds to activate the clause in full, the deal risks collapsing altogether, despite the agreement already in place with the player.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Barcelona can find a solution to meet Athletic’s demands or whether Nico Williams will remain at San Mamés for the foreseeable future. As things stand, the ball is firmly in Barça’s court — and the price tag is non-negotiable.
