Catalan Giants Agree Terms with Athletic Club Star But Wait for Fiscal Reset to Trigger £50m Release Clause
Barcelona have taken a major step toward signing Athletic Club winger Nico Williams after reaching a verbal agreement with the Spanish international—but the Catalans will wait until after June 30 to finalize the deal.
The 21-year-old speedster has informed Athletic of his desire to join Barça, who are prepared to meet his €60 million (£50m) release clause in full. However, due to La Liga’s strict financial regulations, the club plans to delay the payment until the new Spanish fiscal year begins on July 1, ensuring the transfer falls under next season’s budget.
The Athletic reports that Barcelona do not view the hefty clause as a dealbreaker, having already settled personal terms with Williams. The young forward has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting attackers, with his blistering pace and creativity making him a perfect fit for Hansi Flick’s revamped attack.
The strategic delay highlights Barcelona’s continued financial constraints, despite their determination to land top targets. By pushing the transaction into the next accounting period, the club avoids immediate strain on this season’s spending limits while still securing their man.
For Williams, the move represents a dream step up after breaking through at Athletic Club, where he became a fan favorite alongside his brother, Iñaki. His departure will leave a major void in Bilbao, but the Basque side have little choice but to accept the release clause—a non-negotiable exit route in Spanish contracts.
With the deal all but agreed, Barcelona fans can expect an official announcement in early July, once the financial reset allows the club to formally trigger Williams’ clause and register him for the 2024-25 campaign.
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