Barcelona shake hands with Nico Williams: €62m release clause is the final obstacle

Full agreement reached on personal terms

Barcelona have reached a full agreement on personal terms with Athletic Club’s young star Nico Williams. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 22-year-old winger has agreed a six-year contract with the Catalan club. Williams accepted an annual salary of around €8 million, turning down more lucrative offers to secure the move.

Sporting ambition trumps financial gain

According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Williams’ decision was entirely focused on the sporting project. The player turned down more financially attractive proposals from clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich, aiming to open a new chapter at Camp Nou.

Breakout season boosts his stock

The 22-year-old impressed not only in the transfer market but also on the pitch with a standout 2024–2025 campaign. Williams played 29 matches in La Liga, scoring 5 goals and providing 5 assists. In the UEFA Europa League, he stood out with 5 goals and 3 assists in 13 appearances. Across all competitions, Williams finished the season with 10 goals and 8 assists in 42 matches, delivering a consistent attacking output.

Release clause remains the final hurdle

However, the key issue yet to be resolved in this transfer is the release clause. According to MARCA, Williams’ contract includes a release clause of €58 million. But when taxes and operational costs are added, Barcelona will need to commit to paying approximately €62 million in total. Athletic Club have ruled out any possibility of negotiating below this figure.

Timing will shape the outcome

Timing is another critical factor. Throughout the summer, Williams has made his stance clear: according to Sports Illustrated, if Nico Williams takes part in Athletic’s pre-season camp, he will choose to stay at the club for the upcoming season. This attitude clearly shows that Barcelona must take concrete steps by mid-July.

Squad exits needed to balance the books

To finalise this transfer, Barcelona’s board needs to create space in the squad. According to Mundo Deportivo, Ansu Fati and Oriol Romeu are expected to leave the team.

But the departure of just these two players may not be enough. Within the club, the futures of key figures such as Marc-André ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen are also under financial review. According to AS, Barcelona’s management has formally reviewed the situations of both players during the pre-season period in an effort to reduce the wage bill and comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. Both Christensen’s market value and ter Stegen’s annual salary are considered decisive elements in the club’s internal balancing plan.

Decision time for Barcelona

In summary, Barcelona have an agreement with the player, the release clause is known, and the decision is clear. The countdown has begun: should Barcelona meet the €62 million fee, Nico Williams will line up at Camp Nou next season.