Barcelona will miss out on signing Nico Williams, with the Spanish international in advanced contract renewal talks with Athletic Club.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Nico Williams is the subject of interest from Barcelona. But the reigning La Liga champions will unlikely add the Spanish international to their squad next year. The young winger is in advanced talks with Athletic Club over a new deal. The contract will hike his release clause from €40 million to €50 million.
Nico Williams has come leaps and bounds since breaking into the Athletic Club first-team squad. A part of the Basque outfit since July 2013, the 21-year-old has completed a decade at San Mames. He made his debut as an 18-year-old towards the end of the 2020/21 season and has been a regular in the last two campaigns.
Williams had started the 2023/24 season superbly, providing four assists in six appearances. But the Spanish international is currently nursing a hip injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the youngster’s contract situation has alerted several high-profile clubs in Europe.
Williams has entered the final year of his contract, with Athletic Club trying to tie him to a new deal. The situation has alerted several well-known outfits, including Premier League and La Liga bigwigs. Recent reports have also suggested that Barcelona and Liverpool have contacted his entourage.
Barcelona’s interest in Williams is understandable despite Lamine Yamal’s breakthrough in the first team. Ferran Torres faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club, while it is unclear if the Blaugrana will complete a permanent transfer of Joao Felix. So, it behoves Barcelona to scour the market for an offensive reinforcement.
Nico Williams has thus emerged as a viable target for the reigning La Liga champions. But recent reports have claimed that the Spanish international is prioritising signing a new contract with Athletic Club. That seems to be the case, with the two parties advancing contract talks.
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The report claims the new deal will include a hiked release clause, going up from €40 million to €50 million. As for Barcelona, the Catalan giants must set their sights elsewhere to bolster their attack next year.
