Revealed: Barcelona's brutal demand to Nico Williams that caused hotly-anticipated transfer from Athletic Club to suddenly collapse

Days after the 2024-25 campaign ended, the Blaugrana resumed their pursuit of Williams as they wanted to further bolster their attack after winning three domestic titles, including La Liga. At one point, they were very close to signing the Spain international, however, the deal eventually collapsed at the last moment as the youngster committed his future to Athletic Club.

According to AS, the negotiations between Barcelona sporting director Deco and Williams' representative Felix Tainta were going smoothly until the Catalan giants sensed that the agent was also talking with Athletic Club over a new and improved contract. The delayed talks frustrated the Spanish champions and one of their officials reportedly got in touch with the player directly and urged him to remove Tainta as his agent and instead hire someone like Jorge Mendes or Pini Zahavi.

This attempt to break up the relationship angered the player's family, after which he is said to have decided to reject a move to Barcelona and opted to stay back at his boyhood club.

Hansi Flick's side will play their first pre-season friendly on July 27 against Vissel Kobe in Japan. It remains to be seen who the club will turn to as an alternative new winger.