Why Man Utd are the big WINNERS from Nico Williams Barcelona snub

Suraj Radia

• 4 Jul 2025 13:30 BST
• 4 min read

Analysis

Nico Williams has snubbed a big money transfer to Barcelona and instead signed a new ten-year contract with Athletic Club – but Manchester United could end up the biggest winners of the entire situation.

Williams shocked Barcelona by signing a new bumper contract until 2035 with his boyhood club despite holding talks with the Catalans and agreeing to join them this summer.

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

€70.6M

ETV Range

€63.5M - €77.7M

View full profile

It is believed that Barcelona were unable to offer Williams any guarantees over his registration in their squad due to La Liga’s salary rules, prompting the 22-year-old to commit his future to Bilbao in a decision that Barca allegedly only learned through social media.

Having also rejected the club to sign a new contract last summer, the u-turn has frustrated Barcelona, with Hansi Flick’s side now forced to consider alternatives to their top target.

And it is felt that Marcus Rashford could now return to Barca’s thoughts, with the unwanted Man Utd star having long seen the La Liga giants as his ideal destination this summer.

United had been struggling to offload the forward due to his salary demands and the club’s €40 million valuation but Barcelona could now pursue a deal for Rashford and finally give the Red Devils the clean break they have been seeking.

Premier League rivals suffer blow through Williams decision

Should Barcelona sign Rashford to a permanent deal, Ruben Amorim could get the windfall he has been craving this summer in order to boost his budget and continue to strengthen his squad.

However, another added benefit for United in the Williams saga could simply be with the player not strengthening another Premier League rival, with Chelsea and Arsenal having pushed hard to sign the Spaniard in recent times.

Although, both teams could have an opportunity to sign Williams in the future, with his €58m release clause having risen to around €90-100m, which is still a feasible price for his services.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are still set to consider other options outside of Rashford and Fabrizio Romano revealed that the club are planning a new approach for Luis Diaz despite Liverpool having insisted the Colombian was not available for transfer last month.

But a move for Rashford could give United arguably their biggest win of the summer by getting the England international’s wages off their books and allowing them more budget to spend on new stars all thanks to Williams leaving Barca in the dust.

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