Arsenal have suffered a major transfer blow after one of their main targets made a dramatic U-turn to sign a new contract with their current club
11:21, 04 Jul 2025
Nico Williams playing for Spain
Nico Williams has signed a new Athletic Bilbao contract(Image: Sebastian Widmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal have been hit with a transfer hammer blow after Nico Williams made a U-turn on his future.
The 22-year-old shone at Euro 2024 for Spain and has continued to impress for Athletic Bilbao, seeing him linked with a move to Arsenal this summer. However, it appeared the Gunners were set to be beaten to his signature by Barcelona.
Williams was on the verge of completing a €58 million (£50m) move to Barcelona after the Catalan giants triggered a release clause in his Bilbao contract.
But the winger has had a dramatic change of heart as he rejected the move to Barcelona to sign a new mammoth 10-year contract to remain at the San Mames, with his release clause "more than 50% more than it was previously."
Barcelona sporting director Deco previously said Williams had shown a strong “desire to join”, but concerns about registration planted doubts in the Spaniard’s mind.
STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 5: Nico Williams of Spain celebrates his goal during the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal football match between Spain and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 5, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Nico Williams' move to Barcelona broke down(Image: Jean Catuffe, Getty Images)
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Despite Barca informing the players’ agent that they were confident they would be able to register him, Williams wanted more assurances, which put the deal in jeopardy.
And in a blow to Barcelona and Arsenal’s hopes of signing a new left winger this summer and in the coming years, Williams has committed to Athletic.
Following the announcement, Williams said: "When it comes to making decisions, for me, what weighs most is the heart. I'm where I want to be, with my family, this is my home. Go Athletic!"
Williams’ move to the Blaugrana appeared to be so far along that Athletic fans had turned on him, reportedly twice defacing a mural in recent weeks.
But now Williams has decided to stay at the club he first joined as an 11-year-old and where he plays alongside his brother, Ghana international Inaki Williams.
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Williams’ snub is a boost to Manchester United and Marcus Rashford’s hopes of landing a dream move to Barcelona. The 27-year-old has been frozen out at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim and wants to join the La Liga champions.
It seemed unlikely that Rashford would get his move despite the Catalan club holding an interest, due to United’s demands for a sizeable fee and his £325,000-per-week wages.
But the door appears to have been opened up again as Barcelona look to find an alternative option to Williams.