In a surprising turn, Barcelona has decided not to move forward with signing Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams, despite earlier reports linking him to the Catalan club. According to Fabrizio Romano, the La Liga giants have pulled out of the race to bring the Spanish winger to Camp Nou.
Williams, 22, had been on Barça’s radar for months. His pace, flair, and creativity down the left wing made him a top target as the club looked to freshen up its attacking options ahead of next season. But sources close to the club say financial limits and other priorities have played a big role in the decision.
With Barcelona still managing tight spending rules under La Liga’s financial fair play regulations, signing a young talent like Williams, who would come at a hefty price tag, was always going to be a challenge. Reports suggest that the club is now focusing on strengthening other parts of the squad, especially midfield and defense.
Nico, on his part, has remained focused on Athletic Bilbao and continues to impress under manager Ernesto Valverde. He recently helped the Basque side secure a top four position and is expected to be a key part of Spain’s squad for the upcoming World Cup.
While this might close the door on a Barcelona move for now, the football world knows how quickly things can change. For now, the Nico Williams chapter at the Catalan club will not be opening, but fans will surely keep watching his growth with curiosity, and maybe a bit of regret. Sometimes, the biggest deals are the ones that never happen. This seems to be one of them.
