Barcelona are aiming to take a decisive step towards signing Nico Williams within the next two weeks.
The Catalan giants have firmly revived their interest in the 22-year-old winger after missing out on a transfer deal last summer.
Williams impressed alongside Lamine Yamal as Spain clinched the UEFA Euro 2024 title, but he remained loyal to Athletic Club, and Hansi Flick was left frustrated.
The situation has changed little in the last 12 months, with Barcelona still keen and Athletic Club unchanged in their firm commitment to keeping their star player, on the back of securing qualification for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.
The main update focuses on Williams' apparent willingness to make the move now - on the back of Barcelona's treble win in 2024/25 - but there are still a few hurdles for Flick to navigate.
Athletic Club fans have made their feelings known over Williams' possible exit - with a mural dedicated to him and his older brother Inaki vandalised several times - as anger grows over his decision to potentially move on.
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Barcelona are willing to pay the £51m [€58m] release clause in his contract at the Estadio San Mames, but the final details remain unconfirmed, as the club set a deadline to get the deal wrapped up.
When can Barcelona sign Nico Williams?
As part of negotiations with Williams and Athletic Club, Barcelona have agreed to pay the full exit clause, plus an additional £2.5m [€4m] in CPI tax.
That will be the minimum demanded in Bilbao, who have rejected Barcelona's pitch to structure payments over three years, to assist with remaining inside Financial Fair Play rules.
As per reports from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will not complete any deal until July, to ensure the transaction is moved onto the 2025/26 balance sheet in Catalonia.
Williams has returned to Spain following his summer break and the talks will now enter a key phase with Barcelona demanding that a deal is signed off before they start preseason training on July 13.
Could Barcelona miss out on Nico Williams?
One of Williams' demands - via his agent - has been a guarantee of Barcelona's ability to register him as a La Liga player for the full 2025/26 season.
The winger is determined to avoid a similar situation which Dani Olmo arrived into last summer - where he could only be registered for the first half of the campaign due to injuries - before facing a legal battle to be re-registered at the start of 2025.
Williams has been firm in wanting confirmed guarantees this will not happen to him, as Barcelona continue to balance a delicate financial situation, and that has reportedly irked the La Blaugrana leadership.
The club are annoyed by Williams' perceived lack of faith in their planning, and that message has been relayed to his agent, as talks speed up.
Athletic Club have also requested La Liga keep a close eye on how Barcelona are paying for Williams - and if they do not meet set requirements - the deal could be dramatically blocked at the last minute.
Barcelona news and related links
- Raphinha reveals what Lamine Yamal asked him before meeting Neymar on Brazil vacation
- Joan Laporta confirms Barcelona star set to sign new deal 'soon' amid exit rumors
- Barcelona all set to reward Lamine Yamal with iconic jersey number