Nico Williams

Barcelona’s much-rumoured pursuit of Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao came to nothing this summer—and sporting director Deco has now clarified exactly why negotiations broke down, painting a picture both of high expectations and unresolved demands. 

Deco has repeatedly said that Barça were interested in Williams, but that the deal hinged on conditions meeting the club’s standards. One of the sticking points was a request from Williams’ camp for an exit clause: specifically, a guarantee that if Barcelona failed to register him by a certain deadline (Allegedly around the start of La Liga on August 20), the clause would allow him …