Nico Williams Transfer Row: Gaspart Slams Barcelona Blunder

Nico Williams transfer drama has once again taken centre stage in Spanish football, with former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart launching a stinging attack on the Catalan giants for letting the winger slip through their fingers.

Nico Williams transfer saga: how Barça lost the race

The Nico Williams transfer was widely tipped to be one of the headline deals of the summer. The 21-year-old’s €50 million release clause at Athletic Club looked within reach for a Barcelona side desperate for fresh wide options. Yet, despite months of scouting missions, conversations with the player’s entourage and public hints from coach Xavi, the Blaugrana never pushed the button.

Gaspart, who presided over the club from 2000-03 and famously brought Diego Maradona, Hristo Stoichkov and Rivaldo to Camp Nou in previous roles, believes the failure boils down to indecision and poor strategy. “If Nico Williams’ agent had tried to fool me, he would have failed,” the 79-year-old told Catalunya Ràdio. “Barcelona acted timidly, and now they risk paying double next year.”

Financial constraints or hesitation?

Club insiders point to LaLiga’s strict salary-cap rules as the primary obstacle. Barcelona still need to offload players to register new signings, and the board feared adding another high salary could jeopardise other operations. However, Gaspart dismissed that argument: “When you detect value, you act fast. We found money for Maradona in 1982 when we had less than zero.”

He added that delaying the Nico Williams transfer could ultimately prove more expensive if the forward signs an improved deal in Bilbao with a higher clause or no clause at all. Athletic Club, proud guardians of Basque talent, reportedly plan to extend Williams’ contract until 2028 on raised terms.

Gaspart’s warning to Athletic Club

The former president didn’t stop at criticising Barcelona. He warned Athletic that a “mega extension” could unsettle their dressing room. “When you break the wage structure for one player, others knock on the door. Nico is special, but keep the balance or you create internal wars.” Gaspart cited his own experience at Barça, recalling how a record deal for Rivaldo in 1997 sparked renewed demands from Luis Figo.

Xavi left short on the wings

Xavi’s squad currently boasts Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and a sometimes-deployed João Félix. Yet none combine Williams’ electric pace with his ability to hug the touchline and open low-block defences. Those inside Ciutat Esportiva believe the coach was counting on the Nico Williams transfer to diversify the attack after Ousmane Dembélé departed for PSG last year.

Williams, for his part, remains focused on Athletic’s pre-season. Sources close to the player claim he was intrigued by Barça’s interest but needed guaranteed playing time and financial clarity before accepting. When clarity didn’t arrive, he felt staying in Bilbao—where his brother Iñaki is a legend—was safer.

Agent games and missed deadlines

Gaspart’s “I wouldn’t have been fooled” jab referenced rumours that Williams’ agent pushed Barça for higher commissions and a larger salary than initially discussed. The board, still haunted by past overpayments, balked. According to Catalan press, the club’s negotiators thought they had until mid-July to decide, only for Athletic to begin drafting a renewal the first week of the month. By the time Barcelona returned to the table, the ship had sailed.

Lessons from past transfer misfires

The Catalans have form for slow moves. They lost out on Endrick to Real Madrid in 2022 and failed to land Bernardo Silva in 2023 after prolonged talks. Gaspart argues the repeated pattern erodes Barça’s reputation. “Players now see Barcelona as interested observers, not decisive buyers,” he lamented.

Comparison with Real Madrid strategy

Across El Clásico lines, Madrid wrapped up Kylian Mbappé’s pre-contract six months before the window, demonstrating, in Gaspart’s view, “the clarity that Barcelona lack right now.” He urged current president Joan Laporta to regain that “killer instinct.”

What next for the Nico Williams transfer?

Despite the latest twist, the Nico Williams transfer talk is unlikely to fade. Barcelona insiders insist the door is not closed; it is merely “postponed.” If Williams rejects Athletic’s renewal—or insists on inserting an exit clause—Barça could reopen negotiations in January. However, Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Chelsea have already scouted the winger and possess healthier balance sheets.

Should Athletic convince Williams to sign a long-term deal with no release clause, Barça’s only hope would be a direct negotiation—usually an expensive exercise with the Bilbao outfit historically reluctant to sell. Remember, Athletic charged City €65 m for centre-back Aymeric Laporte and refused to bargain a single euro.

Youth promotion the fallback?

If the Catalans fail again, Xavi may turn to 16-year-old Marc Guiu or fellow academy flyer Héctor Forte. Yet Gaspart reminded fans that relying solely on La Masia brings risks: “We won titles blending homegrown heroes with world-class recruits. Balance is key.”

Stat check: What Barcelona missed

• LaLiga 2023-24: Williams ranked second for successful take-ons per 90 (4.7).
• Only Vinícius Júnior created more chances from open play among under-23 players.
• At 21, Williams has already reached 100 senior appearances—Dembélé had 75 at that age.

These numbers underline why the Nico Williams transfer was high on Barcelona’s list and why Gaspart’s frustration resonates with supporters craving dynamism on the flanks.

Potential domino effect on Barcelona’s sales

The missed signing may influence outgoing deals. Raphinha, once tipped for an exit to fund Williams, now looks set to stay. Ansu Fati, returning from Brighton, hopes to reclaim minutes but could still depart if the wage bill remains tight. Without fresh funds, the club might shelve moves for other targets such as Girona’s Aleix García.

Agent power in modern football

Gaspart’s critique inadvertently highlights a broader trend: agents wield unprecedented influence. From Mbappé’s mammoth signing-on fees to Erling Haaland’s release clauses, major transfers hinge on intermediary demands. Barcelona, after years of inflated commissions, adopted a stricter policy—but stricter can sometimes mean slower, as seen in the Nico Williams transfer impasse.

Gaspart’s parting shot

The outspoken ex-president concluded: “Barcelona must act like Barcelona again. We convinced Maradona when Italian clubs offered more. We convinced Stoichkov when CSKA wanted to keep him. If you let fear guide you, you end up applauding other teams’ signings.”

Author opinion

Gaspart may be guilty of nostalgia, yet his criticism carries weight. In an era where swift, decisive moves define elite recruitment, Barcelona’s hesitation is costly. A club that prides itself on vision cannot afford blurred lines. If they truly believe Williams embodies the next chapter, they must ensure the Nico Williams transfer story ends in Blaugrana colours—before someone else pens the final line.