Nico Williams is reportedly expected to remain with Athletic Bilbao beyond the end of this summer's transfer window despite the speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are believed to have identified Williams as their leading target this summer, with the Spain star widely being expected to complete a switch to Camp Nou.
Williams has a €55m (£47m) release clause in his Athletic deal, and Barcelona are believed to have made it clear that they are prepared to meet the buy-out fee in order to secure his services ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 22-year-old is also thought to have agreed to reluctantly leave Athletic in order to complete a high-profile switch to the La Liga giants.
However, according to The Athletic, the situation has now changed, with Williams widely expected to remain at San Mames for the 2024-25 campaign.
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Williams 'expected' to remain at Athletic this summer
Williams has been with Athletic since 2013, with his first-team debut coming in 2021, and he has made 122 appearances for the Lions in all competitions, scoring 20 goals and registering 26 assists in the process.
The attacker starred for his Basque club during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring eight goals and registering 19 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.
Williams managed five goals and 14 assists in 31 La Liga appearances, with Athletic finishing fifth in the table to secure Europa League qualification for next term.
The forward has allegedly always intended on staying with Athletic to sample European action, while next season's Europa League final is at San Mames.
As a result, both Barcelona and Athletic are expecting Williams to stay put unless there is 'a last-minute U-turn'.
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Williams' alleged decision is a blow for Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were also among the clubs to be credited with an interest in Williams.
The forward starred for Spain at Euro 2024, scoring twice and registering one assist in six appearances at the competition.
Williams scored in the final against England, and his close relationship with Lamine Yamal was allegedly another reason why a Barcelona move was expected to occur this summer.
The attacker signed a contract extension in December 2023, with his deal now running until June 2027, and it is thought that he could leave Athletic next summer instead, when Barcelona are again likely to be in the race.
Barcelona, though, are advancing on a deal for Dani Olmo, with the RB Leipzig attacker already thought to have agreed a contract with Flick's side.
Matt Law
