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The Nico Williams situation continues to cause a stir. His club, Athletic Bilbao, has released an official statement commenting on FC Barcelona’s interest.
Athletic Bilbao has commented on the transfer rumors surrounding its star striker Nico Williams, issuing an official statement that seems to have initiated the next stage of escalation.
The statement reveals that Javier Tebas (President of La Liga) and Jon Uriarte (President of Athletic Bilbao) met in Madrid.
Nico Williams possesses a contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2027
FC Barcelona pursues Nico Williams
The trigger for the conversation: “Deco, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, has publicly admitted that they will try to sign a player from our first team.” This refers to Nico Williams.
Although Bilbao emphasizes that the club is primarily concerned with its own business, it also makes it clear: “Taking care of one’s own business means ensuring that the rules of competition are adhered to.”
The club is therefore questioning whether Williams’ suitor, Barcelona, will adhere to the financial fair play rule (1:1) in a potential transfer.
La Liga: Bilbao raises accusations against Barcelona
This rule states that a club can spend a maximum amount of money on player signings that it also earns through sales or other revenues.
Athletic doubts that league competitor Barcelona complies with these financial regulations. “Joan Laporta admits that the Blaugrana club is working to comply with the 1:1 rule and that it is therefore not currently within the parameters of this rule for the registration of players.”
On Wednesday, President Laporta commented as follows: “I don’t understand Athletic’s discomfort. With all due respect, everyone should mind their own business. I don’t understand Athletic talking about Barca in La Liga, I don’t think it’s appropriate, but they will know what they are doing.”
“Open war” between Bilbao and Barcelona
On Thursday, the counter from Bilbao followed. After the latest statements from the Basques, the Spanish newspaper Sport is already headlining an “open war” between Bilbao and Barcelona.
The next poisoned arrow towards the Catalans: “The topics discussed also included FC Barcelona’s ability to register players,” the statement from Bilbao reads.
Registration problems with Olmo and García
Background: There were already significant problems for months when registering Dani Olmo. There were also initial difficulties with summer newcomer Joan García, the designated successor to German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
“It is one thing to officially make Joan García’s commitment, and another to register him,” La Liga boss Tebas made clear last week at a lecture in Madrid.
Barcelona is informed about the need to balance the books. The Catalans are said to have deposited the release clause of 25 million euros with the league.
With a possible Williams transfer, the challenge of balancing the books continues to grow.
How Barcelona could solve the problem
Williams, who has a contract in Bilbao until 2027, has a release clause of around 60 million euros. Barcelona would therefore have to generate this sum in addition if a transfer comes about at all.
But there is already said to be a solution to the financial problem. The Mundo Deporitvo reports that Barca has decided to sign Williams, but will only pay the release clause in July.
This has accounting reasons. In this way, the club wants to shift the approximately 60 million euros transfer fee to the 2025/26 financial year, which begins on July 1st.