Nico Williams has reportedly asked for a registration guarantee from Barcelona before completing his move from Athletic Club. The Blaugrana are closing in on a deal for the winger, with club president Joan Laporta already confirming that Barcelona will pay the player's €58 million (£49m/$67m) release clause. The Spaniard has also made up his mind to join the Catalan side.
In a fresh act of protest, the mural featuring Nico Williams in Bilbao has once again been desecrated, just hours after it had been lovingly restored. The backlash from certain Athletic Club fans has escalated as the Spain international edges closer to a transfer to rivals Barcelona, a move that has sparked visible anger among the Basque community.
Despite deciding to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona won’t be paying his release clause before July as part of a strategic financial move.