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.

Nico Williams reportedly chose to stay at Athletic Club de Bilbao after Barcelona refused to insert an exit clause in his contract in case they could not register him. The Spain winger had verbally