Laporta vs Athletic: The Nico Williams Row That’s Rocking La Liga

Barcelona’s pursuit of Nico Williams sparks war of words and off-field drama with Athletic Club

As the summer transfer window heats up, so too does the tension between some of Spain’s most storied football clubs. At the heart of the latest La Liga soap opera is 21-year-old winger Nico Williams, whose proposed move from Athletic Club to Barcelona has ignited controversy far beyond the usual transfer tussle.

What began as a straightforward pursuit of one of Spain’s brightest young talents has now spiraled into a full-blown dispute — involving public statements, official complaints, and even calls for a La Liga audit. And Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, is not staying silent.

Barcelona Close In on Nico — But at What Cost?

Nico Williams Athletic

Barcelona appear to be nearing the signing of Williams, with reports indicating that a six-year contract has already been agreed upon with the player himself. The €58 million release clause set by Athletic is also expected to be triggered in early July — a date chosen strategically to align with Barcelona’s new financial year.

But while the sporting side of the deal seems set, the financial and political fallout is proving far more complicated.

Athletic Club, feeling blindsided by the Catalans’ very public pursuit of their star player, have taken matters into their own hands. In a rare move, they’ve reportedly filed a formal complaint to La Liga, calling for a full audit of Barcelona’s financial situation. According to sources, Athletic officials believe Barça may still be operating outside La Liga’s strict 1:1 salary registration rule — a restriction that limits spending to earned revenue.

Athletic president Jon Uriarte and general manager Jon Berasategi were even said to have travelled to Madrid in person to press their case.

Laporta Hits Back at ‘Unfair’ Accusations

Athletic Club v Real Valladolid CF – La Liga EA Sports

Speaking publicly for the first time since the news broke, Joan Laporta made it clear he was stunned by the hostility coming from Bilbao.

“I don’t think it’s right,” Laporta said during a press event on Wednesday. “We don’t have bad relations with Athletic. Yes, there have been misunderstandings in the past, but that’s part of football.”

Despite his measured tone, it’s clear the situation has frustrated the Barcelona president. “I don’t understand why they are going to La Liga to talk about us. With all due respect, each club should mind its own affairs,” he continued.

Laporta insists that Barça are financially sound enough to register Williams and other signings, having navigated through several turbulent seasons under La Liga’s ever-watchful financial regulations.

“We’ve done everything we need to do. We’re ready,” he said. “And when the time comes, we’ll register all our signings.”

Athletic’s Perspective: More Than Just Money

For Athletic Club, though, this isn’t only about numbers. The Basque institution is known for its fierce regional identity and its commitment to signing only players of Basque heritage — making Williams, whose rise through the Lezama academy has been meteoric, a symbolic figure for the club.

Watching one of their own, particularly a homegrown talent of such calibre, leave for one of Spain’s giants is always painful. But the fact that Barcelona have been so open about their interest, while Athletic themselves claim to have received no formal approach before news of the personal agreement leaked, has added insult to injury.

There’s a sense in Bilbao that Barcelona have overstepped, acting too boldly, too soon — especially given the ongoing uncertainty around their financial compliance.

La Liga in the Middle of the Storm

La Liga president Javier Tebas has already stated that Barcelona are not currently in a position to register summer signings under existing league rules — although those remarks were made weeks ago and the situation may have since changed.

Still, Athletic’s formal request for an audit puts pressure squarely on Tebas and the league to intervene or clarify. The move could set a precedent. If clubs begin reporting each other to the league over financial disputes, it raises questions about how transfers are conducted and whether the league office should have a more proactive role in policing them.

Nico Williams: The Eye of the Storm

In all of this, Nico Williams himself remains silent, at least publicly. Privately, sources close to the player say he’s eager to join Barcelona and link up with close friend and international teammate Lamine Yamal in what could become one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking duos.

After a breakout season in La Liga and a starring role in Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, the winger is seen as one of the continent’s top prospects. A move to Barcelona — a team now building for the long-term under new manager Hansi Flick — could elevate his game even further.

But for now, the saga surrounding his transfer risks overshadowing the player himself.

What Happens Next?

As it stands, Barcelona are expected to officially trigger the €58 million release clause when the new financial year begins in July, thereby sidestepping potential registration hurdles in the current books.

But the backlash from Athletic — and the potential for La Liga to act upon it — means there could still be twists ahead. The possibility of legal delays, league intervention, or even reputational damage looms large.

For Laporta, it’s about more than just signing a player. It’s about asserting that Barcelona are still a powerful, functioning, ambitious club, despite years of economic strain.

For Athletic, it’s about defending their identity, protecting their model, and perhaps making a broader statement: that even in modern football’s transfer circus, some lines shouldn’t be crossed.

Final Whistle — Or Just the First Half?

The Nico Williams deal may still go through. But the fallout between Barcelona and Athletic Club is unlikely to fade quickly.

One thing is certain: in a league already riddled with financial complexity, intense rivalries, and political undertones, this latest clash is a reminder that Spanish football drama doesn’t only happen on the pitch.

If Barça are to sign Nico, they’ll need to do more than pay a clause — they’ll need to win a war of perception, of paperwork, and of patience.