The Nico Williams saga has come to an end for the second consecutive summer, and not exactly with a happy ending for Barça. The Athletic Club winger has decided to renew his contract until 2035, leaving the blaugrana side stranded once again.
The official announcement has been made, and it has been enthusiastically received by the Bilbao fans. Meanwhile, in Can Barça, the feeling is bitter. Expectations were high, and it seemed like this time there would be a white smoke.
The clause that broke the deal
The breakup wasn't due to a lack of interest from the player or the club. Everything indicated that negotiations were advanced, but one sticking point proved decisive. According to reports, Nico's agent demanded to include a release clause that would allow the player to leave if Barça couldn't register him before the transfer window closed.
This condition was viewed with suspicion by the blaugrana sporting management. In the midst of their well-known financial fair play issues, accepting such a clause would have been an admission that there are no real guarantees of registering him. In addition, it was an escape route that would weaken Barça's position in a future negotiation.
Dumfries appears on the radar
While Nico's dream was fading, the market doesn't stop. According to Fabrizio Romano, Barça has started to make moves in another direction. In recent hours, Dumfries's name, the Dutch full-back from Inter Milan, has gained momentum.
Dumfries, a Netherlands international, is known for his physical power, offensive presence, and ability to join the attack. His style would fit perfectly into Hansi Flick's system, who has already given the green light to the operation. Although there's no formal offer yet, the interest is real and Barça has already started to study the terms of the signing.
An affordable price for a key position
According to the journalist, Dumfries's transfer could be closed for an amount close to €25 million. It's a considerable sum but within the parameters the club considers affordable, especially if they manage to free up salary mass with some pending departures.
Dumfries's arrival would allow Koundé to get some rest. The decision hasn't been made, but in Camp Nou offices, it's already being seriously considered as a tangible alternative after Nico's refusal.