Nico Williams of Athletic Club
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Barcelona’s long and drawn-out pursuit of Nico Williams has become one of the more familiar sagas of recent transfer windows.
The Athletic Club winger ultimately opted to stay at San Mames, snubbing the Catalans more than once, but the circumstances surrounding those decisions have been a subject of continued discussion.
Now, Williams himself has stepped in to set the record straight, notably contradicting his own agent.
Williams corrects his agent’s claims
Nico Williams, Athletic Club player
BILBAO, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 05: Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Athletic Club and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio de San Mames on September 05, 2026 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The controversy stemmed from recent comments by his agent, Felix Tainta, who detailed the extent of Barcelona’s interest in the summer of 2024 and suggested the move collapsed largely due to the club’s financial fair play troubles.
Tainta claimed the deal became conditional on certain guarantees, insisting the player could not risk joining and being unable to feature.
“There comes a time in the negotiation, in the situation, in which Nico cannot be without playing. Nico is a Formula 1 car,” the agent said.
Those remarks did not go down well at San Mames, prompting Williams to offer his own version of events after Athletic’s comfortable win over Getafe on Sunday.
“My brother was clear with what he said. It’s hard when your name is wrapped up in that kind of thing. Felix has made a mistake with the words he said, things are not like that. The final decision is made by me, my brother and the family.
“What happens at home, only the three of us know. I have never doubted being here, I have had countless offers, I have been able to leave and I have been clear about staying here,” he said (h/t Diario SPORT).
Williams reaffirms his commitment
Nico Williams, Spain and Athletic Club player
Nico is no longer wanted at Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The 23-year-old was eager to stress that his loyalty to Athletic has never wavered, despite the host of elite suitors chasing his signature.
“My intention is to be here, it cannot be doubted. To Barça, Arsenal, PSG and many more I told everyone no because I was here. I hope people understand,” he explained.
Having renewed his contract until June 2035, Williams also addressed the criticism aimed at him on social media.
“Social networks are not real life, you stay with the people who go to Lezama and there are countless children who want to be like me, they look at me because I want to be a great reference.”
These comments are unlikely to faze Barcelona, who have comfortably moved on from Nico Williams and are no longer interested in signing the Spanish international.
Joao Cancelo of Barcelona
Joao Cancelo of Barcelona