“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.

In what felt like a transfer saga heading towards a fairy tale ending, Barcelona’s pursuit of Nico Williams reached a dead end that few inside the club saw coming. After months of groundwork, verbal agreements and a public show of intent from both president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco,