Athletic Bilbao confirmed they have held talks with LaLiga regarding Barcelona’s finances and ability to register new players amid the Catalan club’s attempts to sign Nico Williams.
Barca have made no secret of their desire to sign Spain winger Williams, who has a €50 million release clause.
However, the Spanish champions remain under financial constraints, with their ability to register new players subject to their compliance with the 1:1 rule.
Barca can spend only as much as their income and accounts permit, with the club subject to a limit calculated by LaLiga based on their anticipated income.
It emerged this week that Athletic were going to audit Barcelona’s financial situation in an apparent move to block the transfer on financial fair play grounds, though the Basque club insisted they were taking that course of action to uphold the integrity of the competition.
However, Barca president Joan Laporta expressed bemusement at Athletic’s approach, saying: “Everyone should mind their own business. I do not understand why they would speak to LaLiga, I do not think it is their place, but they know what they are doing.”
Athletic’s response on Thursday saw them release a statement entitled “Athletic Minds Its Business”.
ℹ️ Reunión con @LaLiga
El Athletic Club agradece la disposición y claridad del organismo que defiende los intereses de todos los clubes.
En el marco del fair play financiero, se trató, entre otros asuntos, la capacidad de incorporación de jugadores por parte del FC Barcelona.
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) June 26, 2025
It read: “Athletic Club would like to thank LaLiga de Fútbol Profesional for the willingness and clarity shown at the meeting held yesterday between the two entities, which was attended by the presidents of both organisations, Javier Tebas and Jon Uriarte.
“The meeting was held in Madrid in response to a request from Athletic Club made within the framework of compliance with financial fair play. Among the topics discussed was FC Barcelona’s ability to sign players, given Athletic Club’s legitimate interest in accessing the relevant information, after FC Barcelona sporting director Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco’ publicly acknowledged that they will try to sign a player from our first team.
“This player has a contract with Athletic Club until June 30, 2027. Minding our own business means ensuring that the rules of the competition are followed.
“Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco’s’ statements add to the public statements made by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself, admitting that the Blaugrana club “is working to be within the 1:1 rule” and that, therefore, it is not currently within the parameters of said rule for registering players.
“We appreciate LaLiga’s complete willingness and clarity in its qualified response, and we affirm that Athletic Club will defend its interests to the fullest extent in compliance with the financial fair play regulations approved by each and every one of the professional clubs that make up LaLiga.”
