Nico Williams' agent explains why Barcelona transfer failed

Félix Tainta, the agent for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, has revealed that a potential transfer to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2025 failed due to registration uncertainties. Tainta explained that the club could not provide sufficient guarantees that Williams would be successfully registered to play in La Liga, given Barcelona’s ongoing financial challenges.

Comparing the player to a ‘Formula 1’ car, Tainta emphasized that Williams could not risk a move that might leave him unable to compete, especially with the World Cup approaching. While Williams had considered leaving Athletic Club to pursue major titles like the Champions League, he ultimately signed a contract extension that keeps him at the club until 2035.

The agent also confirmed that several elite European clubs, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain, had expressed interest in the Spanish international following his successful Euro 2024 campaign.