FC Barcelona still does not rule out the signing of Nico Williams despite the 'blow'

Published:6/08/2024 - 19:23h

Updated:6/08/2024 - 19:23h

Nico Williams' future remains a mystery at Can Barça. Although the footballer announced his return to Athletic Club training, the Catalans have not lost hope of acquiring his services this summer.

FC Barcelona received a 'wash of cold water' this Tuesday morning after Nico Williams rejoined the discipline of the Athletic Club de Bilbao first team. The footballer returned to training a week earlier than planned and accompanied his return with some words about his future that 'disconcerted' the Barça entity. The Catalans interpreted the player's silence in recent weeks as a good sign regarding the outcome of his operation, but his early incorporation into Ernesto Valver's squad has caught the culé leadership on the back foot.

Despite this, the Spotify Camp Nou offices have not yet ruled out the attacker's arrival this summer. However, the end of this silence, which was worrying in Bilbao and exciting in Barcelona, makes it clear that his continuity in San Mamés is getting closer and closer to being official. Although in football nothing is impossible and there is still a market, the truth is that, today, it seems difficult for the player to agree to leave the club of his loves by paying his termination clause, which is valued at 58 million euros (plus 4 CPI).

The price of the clause remains current, with June 30, 2027 as the expiration date. According to 'Mundo Deportivo', if he does not land in this summer window, the Blaugranas will, in principle, keep him on the radar for next year, unless the footballer improves his contractual conditions and the cost of his freedom increases. If this becomes the scenario, Can Barça would 'reject' him from their list of future prospects.

Laporta looked completely surprised

The president of the Catalan institution, Joan Laporta, is with the Barça expedition on the tour of the United States, so when Nico was seen and recorded by the Athletic media, they were in Annapolis in the middle of the night. Therefore, 'Jan' was met with a 'bitter' surprise when he woke up. However, neither the president nor the club are giving up, since the transfer market is still open and everything can change until Friday, August 30.