Barcelona are confident they have passed the final transfer hurdle to secure Nico Williams.
The Catalan giants have opted to revive their interest in the 22-year-old winger following their public failure to bring him in last summer.
Williams starred in Spain's UEFA Euro 2024 title win, but Barcelona were unable to lure him from the Basque Country, in what was viewed as a massive win for Athletic Club.
However, the situation has taken a major twist in recent weeks, with Williams now ready to make the move despite his current side qualifying for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.
Williams has a £51m release clause in his contract at the Estadio San Mames, and Athletic Club will not accept anything less that that figure, as part of tense ongoing transfer talks.
Athletic Club fans have hit out at Williams - with a mural dedicated to him and his older brother Inaki vandalised twice - as anger grows over his decision to potentially move on.
🚨 The Nico Williams mural has been destroyed again, this time with the writing: "Nico, leave. We will defend our shield at all times." pic.twitter.com/a2EoInEggc
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) June 29, 2025
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A deal is not yet done between the two clubs, despite Williams' keenness to go, but one key barrier has now been removed.
When can Barcelona sign Nico Williams?
Barcelona are still working to secure the funding to purchase Williams as Athletic Club continued to reject their proposal of paying the £51m across three years of structured amounts.
Williams has reportedly accepted a contract worth around €7-8m per year, but finances continue to dictate how the final agreement will look, and the La Roja has flagged up his concern to his representatives.
As per reports from Marca, Williams was concerned Barcelona may not be able to register him within La Liga financial guidelines, following the chaos involving Dani Olmo and Pau Victor at the start of 2025.
Both players were only able to be initially registered following injuries in Hansi Flick's squad - which triggered an exception for Olmo - before the controversy resurfaced in January.
Williams reportedly made the same request last summer, as part of Barcelona's first offer for him, and he has been reassured over their fiscal power to complete the deal.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned a close eye will be kept on how Barcelona are financing the transfer despite Joan Laporta's confidence.
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