LaLiga

Nico Williams Snubs Barca For 10-Year Athletic Deal

Nico Williams has signed a new contract with Athletic Club until 2035, snubbing Barcelona’s advances to sign him from the Basque side this summer.

Barça sporting director Deco said recently Williams had shown a strong “desire to join” the Spanish champions, with president Joan Laporta saying they were prepared to pay the winger’s €58 million ($68.3m) release clause.

However, in a surprise twist on Friday, Athletic announced an agreement for Williams to pen a new deal, with his clause now “more than 50% more than it was previously.”

Spain international Williams, 22, has long been the subject of interest from Barça, who first tried to sign him last summer.

It looked like they would finally land their target this year, with Athletic even complaining to LaLiga last week about Barça’s finances in a bid to scupper the deal.

The deal was presumed to be so far along that even Athletic fans had turned on Williams, twice defacing a mural in which he appears in recent weeks.

In the end, though, Williams decided to stay at the club he first joined as an 11-year-old and where he plays alongside his brother, Ghana international Iñaki Williams, and will get the chance to play Champions League football next season.

“When you have to make decisions, for me, what weights most is the heart,” Williams said in a video released on Athletic’s social media channels which shows him spray paint ‘2035’ on to the defaced mural.

“I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home. Aupa Athletic!”

Since breaking into Athletic’s first team in 2021, he has made 167 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals. He was also part of the team which won the Copa del Rey in 2024, ending a 40-year major trophy drought.

Williams has also become a key player for Spain under Luis de la Fuente, earning 28 caps and scoring six goals, one of which came in their Euro 2024 final win against England.

It is with the national team where he has struck up a close relationship with many Barça players, including Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde and Pedri.

He revealed last year Yamal and Balde had been pressuring him to join Barça last summer, with Yamal also posting several Instagram stories related to Williams recently as Barça tried to sign him.

Barça will now have to pursue other players after Deco told ESPN in May signing a winger to take the load of Yamal and Raphinha was the club’s priority this summer.

Liverpool’s Luis Díaz is also a target, but the Premier League champions have knocked back approaches from both Barça and Bayern Munich for the Colombian.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford is another option, with the English forward saying recently he “hopes” to be able to play alongside Yamal one day.

Espn.co.uk

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LaLiga

Barca’s Rashford Hopes Rise As Turkish Club Withdraws

Barcelona remain fully engaged in their search for the winger that Hansi Flick has requested to strengthen the squad. The two main targets being pursued by the club’s sporting department are Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford.

Bayern Munich are pushing hard for the Liverpool winger, and securing his signature will not be easy given the German club’s strong financial position.

As such, reports today suggested that Rashford had now become the priority target for the La Liga champions, who were now ready to go all in for him.

However, Fenerbahce in Turkey were also said to be admirers of the Manchester United forward, with their manager Jose Mourinho seemingly keen on a reunion.

Fenerbahce drop out of Rashford race
But, as per the latest update from MARCA, Mourinho has ruled out signing Rashford for Fenerbahce, which comes as a big boost for Barcelona.

Despite considering the option seriously, the Portuguese tactician has decided against a move for his former ward from Manchester United.

Mourinho previously coached Rashford during his time at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018. The Portuguese manager placed full trust in the young forward, who had just been promoted to the first team.

During his time at Old Trafford, Mourinho used Rashford in 125 games, during which the forward netted 28 goals and chalked up 20 assists.

Despite their past working relationship, signing Rashford is currently unrealistic for Mourinho’s Fenerbahce due to the player’s high wages – he earns €18 million per season – and because the forward’s preferred destination is Barcelona.

As a result, a move to Turkey has been definitively ruled out, with the 27-year-old attacker holding out for a transfer to Catalonia.

Barcauniversal.com

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LaLiga

“We All Make Mistakes!”: Szczesny Sports New Blonde Look With Barca Teammates

What is going on?!

Wojciech Szczesny is known for being a bit of a joker and has been having some fun on social media after seeing some of his team-mates show off new looks.

Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have all gone blonde recently, and it looks like Szczesny has decided he wants a bit of the action as well.

He’s posted a picture of himself showing off a new blonde haircut with the caption “we all make mistakes….” and tagged his team-mates in the post.

It’s good to see the Barca boys having some fun as they prepare to get back to work for another season with the Catalans.

Szczesny will be back with the squad, after signing a two-year contract extension, but is expected to play back-up to new signing Joan Garcia.

In the meantime, we’ll have to wait and see if any more players decide to join Lewandowski, Szczesny, Yamal and Gavi in Barca’s blonde club.

Barcablaugranes.com

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LaLiga

Barca Captain Ter Stegen To Meet Flick After Deco Talks

Earlier today, FC Barcelona captain and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva after his vacation as the team gears up for the start of pre-season on Sunday.

Ter Stegen returns with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his future, considering that Barça have signed Joan Garcia to become their new No. 1.

The German international, though, has been firm on his refusal to leave the club despite the threat of being relegated to the third-choice goalkeeper behind Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny.

Ter Stegen to meet Hansi Flick tomorrow
Now, according to journalist Laia Tudel on Catalunya Radio, Ter Stegen is set to meet with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tomorrow to discuss his future.

As per the update, the 33-year-old already met with the Blaugrana sporting director at the club facilities today and will speak with the manager on Friday.

Barcelona, for their part, are eager to offload Ter Stegen, given that they will be freeing up a huge chunk of their salary space.

However, at this point, the Blaugrana are not planning to take any drastic actions or extreme measures.

Instead, they will explain the situation to their captain and make it clear that there is competition for places, and he will have to fight to earn it.

Ter Stegen still has three years left on his contract with Barcelona and is willing to fight for his place in the team. The German’s idea is to revisit the situation and assess his prospects in January.

Tomorrow’s meeting with Flick will be crucial with regard to how the entire matter unfolds and whether Ter Stegen stays or accepts to move on from the club.

Barcauniversal.com

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