Report – Barcelona top target’s summer agreement with club and why it fell through

There was much noise surrounding the future of Nico Williams in the summer. Following a successful Euro 2024 campaign, the Spaniard had emerged as the top attacking target for Barça.

But the move never truly materialised, primarily owing to Barcelona’s economic conditions, which slowed down the club’s negotiations.

However, a recent report from Alex Pintanel has revealed that Nico had actually agreed to a move to Barcelona in the summer.

Nico said yes to Barcelona in the summer

As per the report, Nico did say ‘yes’ to Barça during a video conference at the start of August. Barcelona were in the United States at the time, as part of their pre-season campaign.

This meeting came on the back of an earlier meeting between Deco and the player’s agent in Zaragoza, where the two parties had agreed details about a contract.

The video conference included four people, starting from Nico himself to Joan Laporta, Deco and Nico’s agent, Felix Tainta.

Nico Williams had said yes to Barcelona in the summer (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Following the ‘yes’, Barcelona officials were very sure of completing the Nico deal. Some even took his arrival for granted.

Why did the move collapse?

However, from that moment onwards, Barcelona received no news from the player’s entourage.

The report implies that it was Barcelona’s slow approach to the Nico deal which convinced the Spaniard to change his mind.

Many in the Barça camp even wonder if the situation would have turned out differently if the club had acted faster.

Laporta, for his part, was left angered when he learnt about Nico’s intentions. “Barcelona train passes only once,” the club told the player at the time.

Interestingly, though, Barcelona have still been linked with a move for Nico and there is still a possibility the club could come back for him in the summer of 2025.