Barcelona are heading back to the drawing board in their summer transfer plans following Nico Williams’ rejection.
After landing Joan Garcia from rivals Espanyol, Hansi Flick made a decisive move for his No.1 position, with Williams highlighted as the sole other target following months of speculation.
Barcelona famously pursued the 22-year-old last summer, following his superb role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 title win, but the Catalans were unable to lure him away from Athletic Club.
Williams opted to stay in Bilbao, to help his boyhood club secure UEFA Champions League qualification, before the transfer saga was revived again in June.
Barcelona were confident Williams’ desire to achieve his goal in the Basque Country had been secured, and they stood ready to activate his release clause, to finally bring him to Catalonia.
However, as the deal began to unravel over rumours Barcelona were struggling to finalise payment, Williams shocked both sides to sign a whopping 10-year extension at Athletic Club.
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That sent shockwaves through Barcelona and tore up Flick’s plans for the 2025/26 campaign.
Confidence of uniting Williams with his friend and Spain teammate Lamine Yamal has been blocked but the latter’s father has reassured Barcelona fans not to worry.
MORE: Hansi Flick told to secure one key position for Barcelona
Lamine Yamal father’s speaks out on Nico Williams’ Barcelona rejection
The 17-year-old’s father has developed a reputation as an outspoken figure on Barcelona as part of his son’s rise to stardom.
“Nothing has happened and we will continue watching Lamine Yamal”, Mounir Nasraoui told an Instagram Live, reported via Mundo Deportivo.
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He also referenced Lamine Yamal’s new contract at Barcelona until 2031, by adding ‘don’t worry, we have everything done’, as he brushed off Williams’ decision.
Flick will reassess his options with growing interest in Liverpool winger Luis Diaz and Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford as potential alternatives.
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