After months of groundwork, verbal agreements and a public show of intent from both president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, the 22-year-old winger chose to stay put in Bilbao. Athletic Club announced on July 4 that Williams had renewed his contract until 2035, with a release clause now worth €100m [$117m].

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is planning on turning to the club’s famed La Masia youth system in the immediate aftermath of Nico Williams’s shock snub, reports in Spain claim. The Spanish forward was thought to be on the verge of joining up with Barcelona this month.