The Catalan club were rebuffed by Athletic Club last summer and had to compete with Bayern Munich for the winger.

An insight into the bizarre way in which Barcelona learned of the decision of chief transfer target Nico Williams to reject the club has been forthcoming.All associated with Barcelona, of course,

Nico Williams has formally rejected a move to Barcelona by putting pen to paper on a surprise contract extension with Athletic Club. Personal terms had been agreed between Barcelona and Williams, whose release clause of €62 million ($72.