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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Williams signs new long-term Athletic Club contract until 2035</li><li>Barca claims transfer agreement was in place</li><li>Catalan club alleges Williams' agent of prioritising Bilbao's interests</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Barcelona blame Nico Williams' agent for transfer breakdown with special release clause request before winger's shock decision to sign Athletic Club contract extension

Club Friendlies

PSV Eindhoven

Athletic Club

Vissel Kobe

Barcelona

<p>Despite strong links with Barcelona, Williams <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nico-williams-u-turn-barcelona-target-ten-year-contract-athletic-club-release-clause-increase/blt051633fd201bea2d" target="_blank">surprisingly renewed his contract with Athletic Club</a>. As per <a href="https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2025/07/04/la-reaccion-del-barca-tras-el-no-de-nico-williams-apunta-al-agente-del-jugador-como-persona-que-hace-descarrilar-una-operacion-cerrada-cadena-ser/" target="_blank">Cadanaser</a>, Barcelona claim Williams himself had approached them, expressing a desire to join the Blaugrana. The Catalan club had already reached an agreement with the player on financial terms and contract length. However, Williams' agent, Felix Tainta, introduced a new demand: a "free release clause" in his Barcelona contract and a specific July registration date that Barcelona's board considered "unacceptable", leading to the collapse of the transfer.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Williams' rejection is a public setback for Barcelona's transfer strategy and financial management. The club had openly signalled its intent to sign Williams, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta even hinting at an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-spending-exciting-signing-nico-williams-joan-laporta-transfer-javier-tebas-la-liga/blt903953448263c227" target="_blank">"exciting next signing".</a> The agent's demand for a "free release clause" underscores the ongoing concerns about Barcelona's ability to navigate La Liga's Financial Fair Play "1:1 rule" and the risks associated with major signings.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Sporting director Deco, however, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/luis-diaz-marcus-rashford-barcelona-transfer-alternatives-nico-williams-rejection/blt1117a686a80f00c2" target="_blank">has backup plans to solve the club's winger issues</a>. Deco has two players he is interested in: Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford. Both wingers are interested in joining the Blaugrana with Rashford going as far as offering to take a pay-cut.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-aim-offload-seven-players-bid-register-joan-garcia-nico-williams/bltcb0abfb903964c20" target="_blank">The club is yet to register Joan Garcia</a> whom they signed from rivals Espanyol. The Catalan club are confident they will not have to make a major sale but can sell other players who are not a part of the project to comply and register Garcia.</p><p>Pau Victor, Pablo Torre, Inaki Pena, Oriol Romeu, Andreas Christensen and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all up for sale in the summer transfer window, while Ansu Fati joined Monaco on loan with an option for a permanent move earlier this week.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Barcelona blame Nico Williams' agent for transfer breakdown with special release clause request before winger's shock decision to sign Athletic Club contract extension | Goal.com

Barcelona have blamed Nico Williams&apos; agent after their desired move for the Spain international collapsed due to unrealistic release clause demands.

Barcelona blame Nico Williams&apos; agent for transfer breakdown with special release clause request before winger&apos;s shock decision to sign Athletic Club contract extension

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