Bilbao is boiling these days and the pressure cooker has reached its limit due to the possible signing of Nico Williams by FC Barcelona. Athletic's circle feels betrayed and accuses the Catalan club of acting in a "not very ethical" way to secure his transfer. In the midst of negotiations, the aggressive attitude and leaked messages have sparked outrage among the red-and-white ranks.
Athletic president Jon Uriarte has launched a campaign to scrutinize every move Barça makes in this transfer window. They accuse Joan Laporta and Deco of "sneaking" into their structures and overacting in media leaks. The officials at San Mamés claim Barça is playing "very dirty," comparing the maneuvers to childish behavior, and even insults have appeared on social media.
Joan Laporta | @FCBarcelona
The "Williams case" worsens the situation
According to official statements, in Bilbao they describe the operation as "plundering" and threaten to take the case to LaLiga. They fear that signings of talents developed at Lezama will be imitators of tactics from Camp Nou. The dispute has escalated so much that some Athletic members are already calling for stricter regulations against the big clubs.
Meanwhile, Barça hasn't lagged behind and has replied to the criticism with institutional prudence. Laporta and Deco have avoided direct confrontation, but they've made it clear they'll act with "total legality". In internal statements, they've insisted that all contacts with Nico's circle have been proper and within the regulatory timeframe.
Nico Williams playing with Athletic Club | Athletic Club
Nico Williams, 20 years old, has so far reacted with surprise to the tension caused. His name is being mentioned as a reinforcement for Barça's attack and his arrival would be a direct blow to Athletic's plans. Although the end of this saga remains to be decided, in the Catalan capital they already consider it practically a done deal.
The right winger is fast, a willing provider, and unbalancing, three qualities highly appreciated by Hansi Flick. In Barcelona, they believe his arrival would strengthen the flanks during the post-Lewandowski transition. Meanwhile, in Bilbao, there are fears that a career at Camp Nou would erase the granite identity of players forged at Lezama.
Nico Williams with Athletic | @nicolas_williams9
Barça strikes back
But Barça isn't satisfied with Nico and has already made its move: Sancet, Athletic's attacking midfielder, is on its radar. Óscar de Marcos, teammate and captain, believes he could follow the same path as Williams. This rumor has unleashed another barrage of criticism in Bilbao, accusing Barça of looting without restraint.
Deco keeps discreet talks with the player's representatives, while Joan Laporta continues to follow his sporting progress with interest. The strategic plan is clear: weaken Athletic's backbone and strengthen the Catalan youth system with Basque talent. "A double attack" is how those in Bilbao define it, already badly burned by the moves in the market.
The succession of transfer moves and rumors has raised the tension between Athletic and Barça to unexpected heights. In La Liga, there's an atmosphere of confrontation, and they know more signings with Basque flavor could keep appearing. Comparisons with previous situations, such as Basque and Navarrese players refusing to join Real Madrid, are flooding social media.
Hansi Flick has called for calm in public and has avoided directly commenting on the controversy. He is focused on La Liga and on building his sporting project with a blend of youth system and experience. After training, he appears worried in the offices, where Deco is already considering signing Sancet to compensate for the possible loss of Williams.
Nico Williams with the national team | @nicolas_williams9
Who wins and who loses?
The battle is at full boil and the feeling is that no one will come out unscathed. If Barça ends up signing both, it will have won the sporting and psychological battle in the transfer market. If there is a legal challenge or the operation falls through, the toll will be high for Laporta and Deco.
In Bilbao, they're already planning an institutional response through the employers' association and social rejection campaigns. At Camp Nou, meanwhile, they trust that the football monitoring will outweigh the headline war. The future of both players, and Athletic's pride, hang by a thread: if Nico and Sancet land in Barcelona, an irreparable rift will have opened between the two clubs.
