Football circles in Spain continue to discuss the events surrounding the potential transfer of Nico Williams from Athletic to Barcelona last summer. In an interview with a Spanish outlet, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco shared his perspective on the situation, emphasizing that it was the player’s representatives who took the initiative in the negotiations.
According to the official, Barcelona’s management did not make any attempts to contact the player or his club directly. Deco stressed that Williams’ agent repeatedly approached the Catalan side, suggesting that they consider the forward as a candidate. The club stated that they had not shown any interest in the player until they received the relevant proposal from his camp.
During the negotiations, the parties failed to reach an agreement on the terms of a possible contract. Barcelona noted that they were unwilling to make concessions that could impact the club’s internal policies. A deadline for a response was set, but after it expired, the sides parted ways: Williams stayed at Athletic, extending his contract until 2035.
Deco also expressed dissatisfaction with the position of the Basque club, which he believes unjustifiably questioned Barcelona’s financial transparency and compliance with financial fair play regulations. He noted that Athletic cannot serve as an example for other clubs in this regard and urged focus on the actions of agents, not Barcelona’s policies.
In the end, despite rumors and public statements, Nico Williams did not transfer to the Catalan club. The player himself confirmed he will continue his career in Bilbao, emphasizing the importance of personal reasons in making his decision. Barcelona, for their part, maintain that they acted within the established rules and see no reason for further disputes on the matter.
