The reasons why Nico Williams has decided to 'leave' FC Barcelona

The FC Barcelona board remained awaiting Nico Williams' final decision. Although Barça did not give up on him, the Basque winger seems to have decided to stay at Athletic Club, with whom he has a contract until 2027. The Pamplona native seemed convinced to accept the Barça offer after the Euro Cup final, but the holidays with his family and the financial doubts generated by Barcelona seem to have made him change his mind.

The 'lions' take it for granted that the 22-year-old player has heeded the advice of his older brother, Iñaki, to stay one more season to fulfil his dream of making his European debut with Athletic. Ernesto Valverde's men will play in the Europa League this year, a tournament that the Basques have not qualified for since 2017/18, a campaign in which they were eliminated in the round of 16. The Bilbao team will host the final of the tournament in 2025 and dream of returning to a stage they have only reached once, in 2011/12.

In this sense, Nico has a compelling reason to stay one more season at the club of his life, thus fulfilling a dream and a family promise before his inevitable jump to a 'big' club. In addition to Barça, Paris Saint-Germain and other English clubs were willing to pay his release clause (60 million euros), an affordable price for a forward with such potential.

Barça tried a final effort for Nico Williams

However, Barcelona did not give up the battle for the Pamplona native and is also looking to close the transfer of Dani Olmo this week, another of the players with whom he has the best understanding on the field in the Spanish national team. The Barça board strongly relied on the winger's excellent relationship with Lamine Yamal to sign him this summer and, with the signing of the Terrassa native, there were compelling reasons to surround him appropriately and facilitate his adaptation to Hansi Flick's team.

Time, however, was running against the interests of the Blaugranas. If they had had enough salary margin and money to sign, it is very likely that Joan Laporta would have closed the operation immediately after the Euro final. But the reality is that, 10 days before the start of LaLiga, the club still has not resolved most of its pending files, an obstacle that could have been decisive in saying goodbye to the youngest of the Williams this summer..

Athletic celebrates Nico's return

The winger has already returned to training with Athletic, although he was not expected to return until next Monday 12th, so it is almost certain that he will be available for the first matchday of the League against Getafe. In that sense, Barça wanted to wait until the last day of the transfer market to try to sign him, as long as the Pamplona native did not communicate before then his intention to stay in Bilbao, something that has already happened.

"I'm back, really looking forward to this season... Let's go Athletic"

ÚLTIMA HORA DE NICO WILLIAMS!!!

El jugador se incorpora al Athletic y ¿adiós al Barça? pic.twitter.com/7yiKdo9tYQ

— FCBN (@FCBNOTICIAS) August 6, 2024

His early arrival and, above all, his message confirm now that he has decided to stay at Athletic and not sign for FC Barcelona. Putting himself under Valverde's orders before time, one day after Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Ferran Torres did so with Barça, would not completely close the door to his signing for the Blaugrana team, but not exhausting all possibilities until the last minute indicates that the decision has already been made.

However, the main factor that confirms 99% that Nico Williams will stay at Athletic and will not sign for FC Barcelona, ​​although the market remains open until August 31, are his words. The player's message is so forceful that it leaves no room for doubt... eagerness to start the season and a nod to the Athletic Club fans.