Barcelona have been forced to look at other alternatives following Nico Williams' contract extension at Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is planning on turning to the club’s famed La Masia youth system in the immediate aftermath of Nico Williams’s shock snub, reports in Spain claim. The Spanish forward was thought to be on the verge of joining up with Barcelona this month.

In what felt like a transfer saga heading toward a fairytale ending, Barcelona’s pursuit of Nico Williams reached a dead end that few inside the club saw coming. After months of groundwork, verbal agreements, and a public show of intent from both president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, the 22-year-old winger chose to stay put.