Barcelona is close to ending the procedures for contracting with Niko Williams, Athletic Bilbao Pavilion, in a strong deal that is expected to be officially announced before next July 6, as part of a plan to support the Catalan team for the new season 2025-2026.
The player’s approval
The Spanish newspaper “Sport” reported that Niko Williams gave the green light to complete his transfer to Barcelona, after he informed the Bilbao administration of his final desire to fight a new challenge at the Spotify Campy Nou stadium, and confirmed to his agent Felix Tita, his adherence to the move to the Catalan team this summer.
The date of the financial resolution
On July 6, Barcelona set a final date to activate the penalty clause in the player’s contract, which is about 62 million euros, bearing in mind that the value of the condition is defined by 58 million in addition to adjustments according to the price index. The move comes with the aim of inserting the deal within the new season’s budget, in line with the requirements of fair financial play.
Accounting considerations
Although there is an opportunity to reduce tax costs if the amount is paid before June 30, the Barcelona administration decided to postpone the process to register the deal in the fiscal year 2025-2026, which is what it considers a priority to achieve the required financial balance without the need to activate new cranes.
Last season numbers
Niko Williams participated in 29 games in the Athletic Bilbao shirt during the 2024/2025 season in the Spanish Premier League, during which he scored 5 goals and made 5 others, which made him a goal for several major clubs, but Barcelona succeeded in winning the signing race with him.
Strategic deal
The Williams deal is the second most prominent movement of Barcelona this summer after the inclusion of Spanish goalkeeper Juan Garcia, and comes as part of a comprehensive plan to renew the team’s blood and raise his offensive capabilities in preparation for the new season without violating the financial rules of the association.
