Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Barcelona forced to look elsewhere after Nico Williams signs new 10-year deal with Athletic Club

Despite strong links with Barcelona, Williams surprisingly renewed his contract with Athletic Club. As per Cadanaser, Barcelona claim Williams himself had approached them, expressing a desire to join the Blaugrana. The Catalan club had already reached an agreement with the player on financial terms and contract length. However, Williams’ agent, Felix Tainta, introduced a new demand: a “free release clause” in his Barcelona contract and a specific July registration date that Barcelona’s board considered “unacceptable”, leading to the collapse of the transfer.

Williams’ rejection is a public setback for Barcelona’s transfer strategy and financial management. The club had openly signalled its intent to sign Williams, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta even hinting at an “exciting next signing”. The agent’s demand for a “free release clause” underscores the ongoing concerns about Barcelona’s ability to navigate La Liga’s Financial Fair Play “1:1 rule” and the risks associated with major signings.

Sporting director Deco, however, has backup plans to solve the club’s winger issues. Deco has two players he is interested in: Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford. Both wingers are interested in joining the Blaugrana with Rashford going as far as offering to take a pay-cut.

The club is yet to register Joan Garcia whom they signed from rivals Espanyol. The Catalan club are confident they will not have to make a major sale but can sell other players who are not a part of the project to comply and register Garcia.

Pau Victor, Pablo Torre, Inaki Pena, Oriol Romeu, Andreas Christensen and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all up for sale in the summer transfer window, while Ansu Fati joined Monaco on loan with an option for a permanent move earlier this week.

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