Tainta said Barcelona had been Nico’s preferred option during the summer of 2025, but the move fell away because the Catalan club could not provide sufficient certainty that the Spain international would be registered to play. With a World Cup season approaching, the player was unwilling to risk being left without regular football.
Speaking on the Los Fulanos podcast, Tainta said Athletic had been kept informed as talks developed, despite the club’s anger over the way Barcelona had handled the situation. The agent’s account has caused surprise at Athletic Club, where officials have so far avoided a public response. Questions are expected when president Jon Uriarte addresses the club’s members at their upcoming assembly.
The revelations have stirred supporters who viewed the eight-year extension, signed in July 2025, as a clear commitment to Athletic. Tainta said the club knew a departure remained possible.
As reported by Marca, Tainta explained that Athletic understood the prospect of a transfer had been discussed: “Athletic could understand that Nico might leave, and that is how we discussed it.”
Tainta also described the earlier renewal in December 2023, when Nico’s contract was due to expire the following year. “We understood that we couldn’t leave for free. We renewed with the same release clause,” he said.
The details underline that Nico’s long contract did not mean a transfer had never been considered. The Barcelona move was ultimately blocked by uncertainty over registration.
Nico is currently sidelined by injury and will miss Athletic’s trip to Valencia on Saturday. His return could come away to Levante on Wednesday or at San Mamés against Getafe on 25 October, depending on his recovery.
The winger remains the highest-paid player in Athletic’s squad and is tied to the club longer than any of his team-mates. The contract gives Athletic a strong position, but Tainta’s comments have reopened questions about Nico’s ambitions and how close he came to leaving Bilbao.