The hope that many Culers had placed in signing Nico Williams faded this week with the official announcement of his contract renewal with Athletic Club. The Catalan club, which had been closely following him for some time, considered Nico a key piece to strengthen its left wing.
That's why this decision has been a cold shower for many fans who saw Nico as an option for both the present and the future. His profile fit perfectly with Barça's philosophy and with the tactical needs of the coach. However, the player has chosen to keep developing in the environment where he grew up, prioritizing stability and Athletic's long-term project.
Barça already suspected it
Despite the commotion, Barça's offices assure that Nico's decision didn't catch them completely by surprise. According to Mundo Deportivo, interest in the player had already cooled days earlier. Although his signing was initially a priority, the negotiations and the requirements set by the footballer's entourage started to raise doubts.
The guarantees Nico demanded
One of the points that most strained the talks was Nico's demand for guarantees in case he couldn't be registered. The footballer, aware of the club's financial situation and recent problems with fair play, asked for an automatic release clause.
This condition didn't sit well at all with the blaugrana board. The club believes that accepting such a request would set a negative precedent. In addition, it would show a lack of commitment to the project from the start.
Another reason for the distance
Another reason that cooled the signing was the lack of sporting guarantees for Nico. According to El Nacional, Barça wasn't willing to guarantee him the starting spot on the left wing. Raphinha currently plays in that position, a footballer who has Hansi Flick's full trust.
In this regard, Nico Williams would have demanded a leading role that the club couldn't guarantee, at least at first. With Raphinha as the starter, Barça couldn't commit to giving him the immediate importance that Nico's entourage demanded. This, along with the other factors, ultimately broke any possibility of an agreement between the parties.