The warning that Javier Thebas launched at the beginning of this week – “Barça could not register Nico Williams today” – has ended up becoming premonition. The end will not be a partner of his friend Lamine Yamal in the Barca team after renewing by surprise with Athletic … Club until 2035, with a clause that increases by more than 50 % compared to the current 58 million that Barcelona was willing to pay.
In the Lutxana mural, the same one that was vandalized up to three times for those who gave their treason, the whistle of a spray was heard. A hooded silhouette scribbled ‘Win 2035’ next to the face of the minor of the Williams. Then, the hood fell and appeared Nico, with the rojiblanca on: «When you have to make decisions, for me, what weighs more is the heart. I am where I want to be, with mine. This is my house. Aúpa Athletic ». A renewal loaded with symbolism. After two summers of uncertainty, Nico Williams seems to definitely close the Barça door.
The signing, which should be the great blow of the summer culé, died before arriving in the port. And not for a better offer, or for a last minute romantic flying. He died for fear. Nico’s fear to be a new ‘Olmo Case’, which Barça took weeks to register after paying a fortune and could only compete thanks to the injury of a partner. He died from the lack of guarantees of the Barca entity, unable to ensure in writing a federative file before closing of the term.
From the environment of Nico, his agent Félix Talo had demanded to include an escape clause if the player was not registered before a specific date. Barcelona, which had accepted everything: salary, duration and commissions (the Pamplona was going to collect a salary of 7-8 million for each of the six seasons of contract), refused at that point. He did not want to sign an automatic output in case of bureaucratic block. And there everything broke.
The disbelief in the Barca Club offices was total. For fifteen days, Deco and his team had maneuvered stealth, convinced of having Nico in his pocket. Apparently everything was ready for the payment of the clause next week. Laporta, excited, had defined signing as a great market opportunity. It was not just a reinforcement for Flick: it was a wink to Lamine Yamal, an advertising blow, a growth symbol … The failure of the operation leaves injured in Barcelona. Not so much because a key signing is vanished, but because of the given image. Barcelona, today, continues in the financial wire. A notice for any other player to whom the interest of the culés reaches.
The Athletic, on the other hand, is reinforced. He never stopped working on the continuity of Navarro despite being clear since mid -June that the player’s desire was to end his stage in San Mamés. Its president, Jon Uriarte, wove a plan over low heat. The RFEF came to LaLiga to warn that they would control each euro of the operation if Barça tried to pay the clause. And they maintained support for Nico in public and private, despite the hostile environment that was generated against him in Bilbao. They never turned their backs on the possibility that ended by setting yesterday.
That determined support has ended up being key to Nico’s continuity. After communicating his willingness to leave, the player has seen how his face disappeared again and again from the Barakaldo mural and was accused of a traitor and sold. He could still have tried to force another transfer -the Bayern was interested -but has opted to continue in his lifelong club. His hobby will have to forgive.
