“Athletic Club forward Nico Williams has put pen to paper on a 10-year deal keeping him in Bilbao until 30 June 2035,” a statement read. “Nico’s new agreement has an increase in the release clause of more than 50% over the previous one.

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,