Athletic Club forward Nico Williams remains under contract until 2035, an agreement sealed in the summer of 2025 when the Spain international extended his stay by eight years following intense summer interest from FC Barcelona, MARCA reported. Just over a year after that protracted transfer saga, fresh disclosures from the player’s representative have reopened friction within the Basque club. Agent Félix Tainta revealed in a podcast appearance that negotiations with Barcelona reached an advanced stage before collapsing over registration concerns, leaving Athletic officials and supporters to weigh the fallout as a club assembly approaches.
The Podcast Revelations from Félix Tainta
According to the representative, Athletic Club leadership was kept informed throughout the talks despite the board’s frustration with Barcelona’s approach. Tainta maintained that the deal fell through not due to a lack of desire from the winger, but because Barcelona could not guarantee his registration with La Liga in time. Llega un momento en la negociación, en la situación, en la que Nico no puede estar sin jugar,
Tainta explained on the podcast, describing his client as a racing car that cannot afford downtime during a World Cup cycle. Si tú tienes un problema, a mí eso no me tiene que afectar,
the agent added regarding the stance taken with the Catalan club. Tainta also noted that after the European Championship, the player had a buyout clause of 58 million euros and received a massive wave of attention from suitors including the Gunners, Bayern, Liverpool, and PSG.
Contrasting Accounts of Ambition and Loyalty
The disclosures have exposed a sharp contrast between the player’s long-term commitments and his acknowledged career ambitions. While Tainta emphasized Williams’s loyalty by highlighting a previous renewal in December 2023—when the winger could have left for free ahead of the 2024 European Championship—he also acknowledged the forward’s competitive drive. Nico tenía idea de poder salir,
Tainta noted in the interview, adding that the player recognizes the sporting limitations at San Mamés regarding continental titles according to Sport. The representative further defended the player’s integrity by stating that they could have departed for free alongside an incredible signing bonus, yet chose to remain faithful to the Basque institution.
Club Silence and Upcoming Assembly Scrutiny
Athletic Club officials have refrained from issuing formal public statements regarding Tainta’s remarks, though internal surprise is palpable within the Bilbao hierarchy. The timing places club president Jon Uriarte in a difficult position ahead of the upcoming Assembly of Compromisarios, where club members are expected to press leadership on the complex dynamics revealed by the player’s camp. Writing in El Correo, local commentary likened the public airing of private transfer negotiations to self-inflicted wounds, noting that the disclosures risk feeding external narratives from Barcelona supporters while complicating the squad’s immediate sporting focus.
Squad Status and Immediate Fixture Schedule
While the boardroom and supporters react to the off-field commentary, Williams remains sidelined for Athletic Club’s upcoming fixture away to Valencia due to a physical injury. The forward stands as the highest-paid player in the squad and holds the longest contract in the club’s history. His return to action is targeted for a midweek away fixture against Levante or the subsequent home match at San Mamés against Getafe on October 25.
Barcelona’s Stance and Punditry Speculation
Television analysis on El Chiringuito addressed the representative’s comments, with regular contributor Nico González suggesting that the situation could mark one of the attacker’s final campaigns in Bilbao should a strong bid arrive. Meanwhile, reports from SPORT indicate that Hans-Dieter Flick is fully satisfied with the current development of players like Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon, believing there is no longer space for Williams at the Spotify Camp Nou. Consequently, club sources suggest that the doors to Barcelona are closed to the forward, regardless of his close friendship with Lamine Yamal.
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