Barcelona will reportedly prioritise signing 21-year-old Spanish international Nico Williams from Athletic Club in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona’s primary objective after raising funds for signings will be to secure the services of Nico Williams in the summer transfer window. The Spaniard has a release clause worth €50 million in his contract with Athletic Club. So, the Catalan giants must bide their time before triggering it.
The rise and rise of Nico Williams
Nico Williams has been an exceptional performer for Athletic Club since breaking into the first-team squad at San Mames. The 21-year-old has been with the Basque outfit for over a decade and has gone from strength to strength in the last 11 years. Meanwhile, he has become a regular for Spain.
The Spaniard has enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 campaign thus far, contributing to 23 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions, finding the back of the net seven times while providing 16 assists. Meanwhile, Williams’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe.
Many Premier League bigwigs are keen on signing the Spanish international in the summer transfer window. However, a move across La Liga is likelier for the youngster, with Barcelona identifying him as a priority target. Meanwhile, Athletic Club will point to his release clause of €50 million to part ways with him.
Barcelona interested
Barcelona’s interest in Nico Williams is understandable. The outgoing La Liga champions want to sign a wide attacker in the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the futures of Raphinha and Ferran Torres. So, the Athletic Club winger has emerged as a viable target for the Blaugrana.
Xavi Hernandez has been pushing the Catalan outfit to sign the Spanish international. However, raising €50 million to secure Nico Williams’s services is an issue amid the never-ending financial duress. Nevertheless, Barcelona will pursue the youngster’s signature as soon as the funds are available in the summer transfer window.
The funds will likely come from selling high-value assets, with Williams expected to replace Raphinha in the Barcelona squad. It will be interesting to see if Barcelona will secure the required €50 million to sign the Spaniard in the summer transfer window.
