(Football news) Williams is rumored to have been the top priority for the Catalan giants this summer, and it is highly anticipated that the Spain star will finalize a transfer to Camp Nou.

Williams’ Athletic contract contains a €55 million (£47 million) release clause, and it is rumored that Barcelona has stated that they are willing to pay the buy-out amount to keep Williams before the 2024–2025 season begins.

In order to accomplish a high-profile transfer to the La Liga powerhouses, the 22-year-old is also believed to have grudgingly decided to leave Athletic.

The Athletic reports that things have suddenly altered, with Williams most likely staying at San Mames for the 2024–25 season.

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’.

Williams’ 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, meanwhile, 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.

Also read: Barcelona reach an agreement with Spanish star player