Barcelona face vicious fightback from Athletic Club over Nico Williams pursuit as transfer tug of war threatens to get ugly

Per Cadena Ser, Athletic have sent a delegation, comprising of president Jon Uriarte and general manager Jon Berasategi, to Madrid in a bid to force a full audit of Barca's financial operations amid their ongoing pursuit of Williams. They believe that the club have not complied with the league's 1:1 rule, which allows clubs to only spend what they have generated in revenue.

Williams has communicated to Athletic that he wants to leave to join Barcelona, but Radio Bilbao report that Athletic are ready to fight to keep him, and insist they have not reached any agreement with the winger to leave this summer, after he signed a new deal in December. The Spain international has a release clause of just over €60 million (£51m/$70m), but his current employers will call on La Liga to stop any transfer until Barca prove they can meet the 1:1 criteria.

Laporta told Mundo Deportivo, via Barca Blaugranes: “We don’t have bad relations with Athletic, yes there have been a series of misunderstandings and incidents in recent years, but you can’t say we have bad relations, we are two clubs with a very long history and with relationships that go back a long time.

“I don’t understand the reactions they are having, with all due respect, each one should look after their own, I don’t understand why they are going to talk about Barça in La Liga, I don’t think it’s right, but they will know what they are doing.”

Asked about the 1:1 rule, he added: “We are working to be in the 1:1 rule, we were already in it in the winter market, all the steps have been taken to be able to sign normally, to not be financially intervened with the ‘fair play’ as happened until winter, we have to comply with certain parameters, which is what we are doing and depending on that we will be able to sign and register the two players we want to sign... or register.”

Williams has made 167 appearances for Athletic, scoring 31 goals and registering 30 assists. He has a contract until 2027 and it is clear that Bilbao do not plan to let him go without a fight.

Barca reportedly plan to activate Williams' release clause next week, at the beginning of a new financial year.