Chelsea spending big on Gittens & Pedro is smart business

Carsley has to succeed Tuchel as England boss after U21 glory

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Disaster for Guardiola as Al Hilal bounce Man City from CWC

Euros Power Rankings: England & Spain clear front-runners

Editors' Picks

Ronaldo warned 2026 World Cup dream 'will end in tears'

Ancelotti challenges Neymar to prove he can be 'important' to Brazil

Transfers LIVE: Bayern initiate contact for Liverpool's Diaz

Ex-Chelsea wonderkid RETIRES aged 28 after injury-hit career

Trent gets up and running as Madrid make CWC last eight

Winners & losers from Man City's doomed CWC campaign

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Athletic Club to "defends its interests"</li><li>Hold meeting with La Liga</li><li>Want to block Barcelona's pursuit of Nico Williams</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Athletic Club to 'defend its interests' after meeting with La Liga as Spanish side prepare to block Barcelona's pursuit of Nico Williams

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nico-deco-barcelona-chasing-williams-deal-agreeing-personal-terms-athletic-club-winger/blta28ad410b118502c" target="_blank">Barca sporting director Deco confirmed earlier this week that the club are keen to sign Williams</a>, something Athletic are prepared to contest considering their rivals' financial woes. They have released a statement confirming they have met with La Liga to discuss the case.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Athletic Club said: "The meeting was held in Madrid in response to a request from Athletic Club made within the framework of compliance with financial fair play.&nbsp;Among the topics discussed was FC Barcelona's ability to sign players&nbsp;after FC Barcelona sporting director Deco publicly acknowledged that they will try to sign a player from our first team. 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."</p>

WHAT ATHLETIC CLUB SAID

<p>Barcelona's financial situation has long been messy, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-avoid-severe-punishment-financial-issues-uefa-issue-fine-meeting-joan-laporta-aleksandr-ceferin/blt0acee8162de442c7#cs34a4f3017da81dc3" target="_blank">with the club most recently receiving a fine from UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations</a>. They continue to sign players, though, with the Williams saga following <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/hansi-flick-problem-joan-garcia-barcelona-boss-decide-first-choice-goalkeeper-marc-andre-ter-stegen-fury-signing/bltcac7bb1a8d7486f6" target="_blank">the capture of goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol</a>. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The signing of Williams would certainly boost Barca from a football perspective, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nico-williams-message-lamine-yamal-barcelona-team-mates-spain-star-eyes-move/bltfa25a458d26d50ba" target="_blank">with the winger doing so much damage for the Spain national team when teamed up with Lamine Yamal</a>. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Athletic Club to 'defend its interests' after meeting with La Liga as Spanish side prepare to block Barcelona's pursuit of Nico Williams | Goal.com

Athletic Club want to block Barcelona&apos;s pursuit of Nico Williams as they aim to &quot;defends its interests&quot; with La Liga.

Athletic Club to &apos;defend its interests&apos; after meeting with La Liga as Spanish side prepare to block Barcelona&apos;s pursuit of Nico Williams