The breakdown in negotiations came following the revelation that Barcelona are not yet operating under La Liga’s 1:1 financial rules and, as it stands, would not be able to register Williams in their squad—a similar dilemma which plagued the club after last season’s acquisition of Dani Olmo.

Barcelona have failed in their pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams for the second consecutive summer and he has now signed a massive ten-year deal with his boyhood club.

FC Barcelona’s pursuit of Nico Williams has ended in disappointment — again. Just when fans thought the flashy winger was heading to Camp Nou, the deal collapsed faster than a Barca counterattack under pressure.