Former La Masia graduate Marc Cucurella has opened up about why Athletic Club star Nico Williams didn’t join FC Barcelona this summer, despite intense transfer speculation.

Williams had long been linked with a switch to Camp Nou and was even believed to be keen on the move. 

However, in a twist that surprised many, the winger opted to extend his contract with Athletic Bilbao instead of making the leap to Catalunya.

According to Cucurella, who now plays for Chelsea, the deal likely fell through because of uncertainty surrounding Barça's financial limitations — particularly their ability to register new signings.

“I think he got scared,” Cucurella told Gerard Romero during an interview.

“He was probably unsure whether Barcelona could actually register him for the season.”

With the club still navigating La Liga’s salary cap restrictions, Cucurella sympathized with Williams’ decision.

When asked if he would have made the same choice, Cucurella hesitated:

“If Barcelona came for me? I don’t know. It’s a difficult call.

"Even if they assure you that you'll be registered, these days I’d rather wait and see than rely on promises.”

📺 DIRECTO @JijantesFC

🗣️ Marc Cucurella sobre Marcus Rashford y su llegada al Barça: “Es muy rápido, notará la diferencia de ritmo entre las ligas”.

🤩 “Me ha sorprendido mucho el Barça de Flick, no me lo esperaba”.

🔗 https://t.co/OGW0AKAWMl pic.twitter.com/uYbRBRG7h4

— Jijantes FC (@JijantesFC) July 21, 2025

This comes as Barcelona continue reinforcing their squad for the new season, having already added Marcus Rashford, Roony Bardghji, and Joan García. However, the club is still racing against time to finalize registrations ahead of the campaign kickoff.

Nico Williams, on his part, has officially renewed his contract with Athletic Club through 2035 and will stay at San Mamés under Ernesto Valverde’s guidance possibly for the next 10 years or more.