FootyChatter.com

Nico Williams made his Athletic Bilbao debut in 2021 Barcelona have agreed personal terms with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams but there are still obstacles to overcome before the player gets his wish to join the Catalan club. Spain international Williams, who has scored 31 times in 167 appearances for Bilbao, has attracted interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich this summer. But the 22-year-old agreed terms over a six-year deal that will see him link up with close friend and international team-mate Lamine Yamal at the Nou Camp. Williams asked Yamal to help him get to Barcelona, after a season in Bilbao where he helped them reach the Champions League and the Europa League semi-finals. Barcelona explored a deal for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz earlier in the summer but were put off by the Reds' £80m valuation of the Colombia international. Williams has a 62m euros (£53m) release clause in his contract at San Mames, which Barcelona have indicated they are happy to activate. Sporting director Deco met with Williams and his representatives in Ibiza earlier this week, where a verbal agreement was agreed. Williams enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career last term, scoring 11 times in 41 matches in all competitions. His campaign came on the back of winning Euro 2024 with Spain as Williams opened the scoring in the 2-1 final victory against England in Berlin. Two brothers, one club and a 40-year wait 'A story of human trafficking, hope and love' While Barcelona have put a deal for Williams in place, the club remain under strict financial constraints. The '1: 1 rule' states that the club can only spend as much as their income and accounts allow, with La Liga calculating a limit based on the club's expected income. Club president Joan Laporta says the club will comply with that rule but it is not clear yet how they will be able to finance their summer arrivals, as renovations to the Nou Camp has increased club debt, and income is still insufficient. Barcelona signed Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia earlier this week in a 25m euros (£21. 3m) deal and La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned that the club will not be able to register new players unless they prove they are compliant with their financial rules. "One thing is to make the signing of Joan Garcia official and another is to register him, " said Tebas. "Barca has to do things to be able to register him, not many, but they have to do things and they already know what they are, I'm not going to say them. " La Liga revoked Barcelona's registration of midfielder Dani Olmo in January, having given the club permission to temporarily register him following his arrival from RB Leipzig. The league claimed Barcelona had failed to prove they were complying with financial rules by a deadline of 31 December. Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) later overruled the decision, allowing Barcelona to reinstate Olmo. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Real forward Mbappe in hospital 'Can't wait to see him go' - Borthwick backs Feyi-Waboso return Barca close in on Athletic Bilbao winger Williams Hugh Bonneville stars in returning drama, The Gold Why do we get bored, and can it be beaten? The man who unknowingly became a reality TV star in Japan A doctor who rebuilt the faces of World War One soldiers Napoli 'smell blood' & target Premier League's discarded stars The mind behind cricket's Hundred on his 'Prem' relaunch 'Judged on one night' - the cost of defeat in boxing Gambling and social media abuse of women in sport - what is going on? Pope, Bumrah, Bashir - how England v India will be won and lost Premier League fixtures - find out your club's schedule What can we expect in the WSL transfer window? 5 Live Sport: All About. .. Audio5 Live Sport: All About. .. 'Hope you get cancer' - Boulter shares her online abuse with BBC 'Horrifying' - BBC Sport's Croft on online abuse in tennis. Video'Horrifying' - BBC Sport's Croft on online abuse in tennis 'The tumult in the Ingebrigtsen fairytale was never far from the surface' Le Mans win proves injury doubters wrong - Kubica F1 Q&A: Should Mc Laren have allowed Norris to pass team-mate Piastri? Nair's long road back to India team, via Northampton Man City start new era - but how might Guardiola's side look? In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week Chelsea play in front of 50, 000 empty seats - apathy or bad scheduling? 'What's eating Rory? ' - will US Open prove reset point for Mc Ilroy? Summer transfer window reopens - who could be on the move? How does new captain Gill compare to India batting greats? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.