Nico Williams will stay at Athletic Club. A decade of commitment to the club of his life... or so it seems.
Because in the offices at Santiago Bernabéu, nobody has taken the news as a definitive rejection. In fact, quite the opposite.
At Real Madrid, they have closely analyzed the latest developments, and there is one detail that has stood out above all: his release clause.
Nico hasn't accepted a prohibitive amount that would close the door to Europe's top clubs. His camp has agreed on a reasonable exit fee.
Just €95 million. An amount that, for Florentino Pérez, is perfectly manageable if it's a strategic signing.
Florentino takes note in case Vinícius changes plans
Real Madrid's president isn't in any rush, but he does have all scenarios planned. One of them involves a possible departure of Vinícius Júnior in the future. Especially if Saudi Arabia comes back with an irresistible offer.
In that case, Nico Williams would be the perfect replacement: young, explosive, experienced at the top level, and, above all, a self-confessed Madridist since childhood.
Nico has never hidden his fondness for Real Madrid. His desire to share a locker room with Kylian Mbappé has been a recurring topic in his interviews, and his playing style would fit perfectly into Xabi Alonso's system.
Moreover, at just 23 years old, Nico has room for improvement and a potential that makes him a very interesting footballer.
A signing that doesn't divide, but inspires
The idea is well received in Valdebebas. Not only because of his footballing level, but also because the operation would be straightforward and without intermediaries: the payment of a clause. No auctions or back-and-forth negotiations.
What Barça didn't dare to take on, Florentino could execute at the right moment. That makes Nico a name highlighted in red in the notebook of future signings.
Meanwhile, Athletic Club celebrates his renewal as an institutional success. But in the executive offices at Bernabéu, they see it more as an extension before a major decision.
The ten-year contract only guarantees peace of mind for the Basque club... as long as nobody decides to activate that €95 million clause.
Because if Florentino has shown anything over the years, it's that when he wants a player, he signs him. With Nico Williams, there could be a radical turn.