For weeks, Barcelona have been working on a deal to sign Nico Williams. They’ve done everything they can from their side – they have accumulated the funds required to activate his release, and they’ve also agreed the terms of the 22-year-old’s prospective contract with his agent. All they are waiting on is approval from the Euro 2024 winner, which is still yet to come.
There is pessimism from within Can Barca in this case, with many now believing that Williams will not arrive – instead staying at Athletic Club for at least one more season. As per MD, a major reason for the Spanish international hesitation stems from his relationship, and partnership, with older brother Inaki in Bilbao.
Iñaki Williams is the one who is putting the most pressure on his brother to stay at Athletic Club. @martinezferran, @ffpolo via @carpetasFCB pic.twitter.com/pghcWn6eD4
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 5, 2024
Inaki is reportedly pushing hard to convince his younger sibling to remain at Athletic, so that they can play together in Europe – one of their boyhood dreams.
It’s expected that Nico will communicate his decision in the next few days. Athletic Club are confident of keeping the Williams brothers together for another 12 months, while Barcelona continue to be swamped in uncertainty and doubt.