In an unexpected twist that has shocked the football world, Nico Williams, the talented Athletic Club winger, has made explosive statements regarding his failed move to FC Barcelona and his recent contract renewal with the Basque club. According to the player, Real Madrid played a decisive role in blocking his move to the Blaugrana, and he claimed he was pressured into signing a 10-year contract with Athletic, a deal that binds him until 2035.

Williams, 22, was considered one of the most promising players in Spanish football and a priority target for Barcelona, ​​who had reached a verbal agreement with the player and his agent, Félix Tainta, for a six-year contract until 2031. However, the transfer was complicated by the club’s financial difficulties in paying the €62 million release clause, plus the VAT. According to sources close to the club, Barcelona was working on a payment plan for installments, but Athletic Club remained firm in demanding full payment, a stance that reflects the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs.

In a recent interview, Nico revealed that Real Madrid, despite having no intention of signing him due to the saturation of talent in their attack with players like Vinicius Junior, Mbappé, and Rodrygo, had indirectly influenced the deal. According to the young player from Navarra, an intermediary contacted the club to gauge his interest, and the response from the Madrid board was clear: there was no room for him in the squad. However, Williams claimed that this situation was used by his entourage and Athletic Club to pressure him into renewing, arguing that Barcelona couldn’t guarantee his registration in La Liga due to its financial fair play issues. “They made me feel like I had no other option. Madrid didn’t want me, Barça couldn’t pay, and I was forced to sign a 10-year contract I didn’t want,” the visibly frustrated player stated.

These statements have sparked enormous controversy, especially in Bilbao, where Athletic Club issued a statement defending the renewal as a sign of Nico’s commitment to the club’s sporting project. For its part, Barcelona has expressed its disappointment, pointing out that the demands of the player’s agent complicated negotiations at the last minute. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has remained on the sidelines, denying any direct involvement in the matter.

The situation of Nico Williams, now tied to Athletic until 2035 with a release clause of 93 million euros, raises questions about his future and the ethics of transfer negotiations. The player, who shone at the Euros, is a Köz

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In an unexpected twist that has shocked the football world, Nico Williams, the talented Athletic Club winger, has made explosive statements regarding his failed move to FC Barcelona and his recent contract renewal with the Basque club. According to the player, Real Madrid played a decisive role in blocking his move to the Blaugrana, and he claimed he was pressured into signing a 10-year contract with Athletic, a deal that binds him until 2035.

Williams, 22, was considered one of the most promising players in Spanish football and a priority target for Barcelona, ​​who had reached a verbal agreement with the player and his agent, Félix Tainta, for a six-year contract until 2031. However, the transfer was complicated by the club’s financial difficulties in paying the €62 million release clause, plus the VAT. According to sources close to the club, Barcelona was working on a payment plan for installments, but Athletic Club remained firm in demanding full payment, a stance that reflects the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs.

In a recent interview, Nico revealed that Real Madrid, despite having no intention of signing him due to the saturation of talent in their attack with players like Vinicius Junior, Mbappé, and Rodrygo, had indirectly influenced the deal. According to the young player from Navarra, an intermediary contacted the club to gauge his interest, and the response from the Madrid board was clear: there was no room for him in the squad. However, Williams claimed that this situation was used by his entourage and Athletic Club to pressure him into renewing, arguing that Barcelona couldn’t guarantee his registration in La Liga due to its financial fair play issues. “They made me feel like I had no other option. Madrid didn’t want me, Barça couldn’t pay, and I was forced to sign a 10-year contract I didn’t want,” the visibly frustrated player stated.

These statements have sparked enormous controversy, especially in Bilbao, where Athletic Club issued a statement defending the renewal as a sign of Nico’s commitment to the club’s sporting project. For its part, Barcelona has expressed its disappointment, pointing out that the demands of the player’s agent complicated negotiations at the last minute. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has remained on the sidelines, denying any direct involvement in the matter.

The situation of Nico Williams, now tied to Athletic until 2035 with a release clause of €93 million, raises questions about his future and the ethics of transfer negotiations. The player, who shone at Euro 2024 and was key to Athletic’s season, finds himself at the center of a soap opera that promises to continue to generate buzz in the transfer market.