Barcelona are set to close a year-long saga by signing Nico Williams from Athletic Club, with a deal set for completion next week. And the Catalans are sticking to this idea, despite having incurred

Nico Wiliams turned down better offers from elsewhere to join Barcelona this summer, but he’s made one very specific request to the club as the transfer saga drags on.

Barring an unexpected turn, Nico Williams will interrupt his vacation to join the preseason directly under Hansi Flick's orders. At Can Barça, they are already counting on him for the start of the league. Everything is in motion to close one of the big summer deals.