- Williams looks set to join Barcelona
- Catalan club eager to trigger his release clause
- Athletic fans make their feelings known to the winger
Getty Images/Goal/@barcacentre XNico Williams' mural in Bilbao vandalised AGAIN just hours after artist repainted tribute to Athletic Club star as Barcelona move turns toxic

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
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WHAT HAPPENED?
With Barcelona reportedly set to trigger the release clause for Williams next week, emotions have run high in Bilbao. The original tribute, which also featured his brother Inaki Williams and long-time club figure Iker Muniain, was first vandalised last weekend. In that incident, Nico’s face was scrubbed out and a message was scrawled in Basque: “Joan edo geratu, errespetua galdu duzu”, which translates to “Whether you leave or stay, you have lost respect.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Artist Carlos Lopez, who created the original mural, had swiftly stepped in to repair the damage. However, his efforts were short-lived, as just days later, the artwork was once again targeted. This time, Williams' face was covered in black spray paint and accompanied by the phrase “rata de mierda”, a crude insult in Spanish translating to “rat of s***.”
DID YOU KNOW?
The friction between Athletic and Barcelona has grown significantly in recent years. Barcelona’s attempt to sign Williams has also met resistance from the club's hierarchy. Officials at the Basque side have questioned the legality of the transfer under La Liga’s financial regulations, particularly the "1:1" spending rule. They argue that Barcelona are in violation of these rules and have threatened to formally challenge the deal. Adding fuel to the fire, La Liga president Javier Tebas has echoed Athletic’s concerns, suggesting that Barcelona may not be compliant with financial fair play restrictions. Barcelona president Joan Laporta, however, dismissed those claims, issuing a defiant response on Friday and insisting that the club will proceed as planned.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
As Williams prepares to take the next step in his career, his legacy at Athletic Club faces a complicated reckoning. The recent acts of mural vandalism reflect a deep sense of betrayal felt by a section of the club’s supporters, who view his likely departure as a violation of trust.
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