Those in a position of power at Athletic Club have this week continued to work towards bringing a definitive halt to La Liga rivals Barcelona’s push for Nico Williams.That’s according to Diario

Barca do not plan to pay the release clause until after June 30, ensuring the deal is registered in the next financial year in Spain.

After publicly distancing themselves from the Spanish forward earlier this summer, Barcelona performed a swift U-turn. The Catalan giants appear to have agreed personal terms with Williams—reportedly persuading him to accept a salary offer which other clubs comfortably exceeded—but negotiations with Athletic have stalled.