Manchester City will reportedly compete with Barcelona to sign 22-year-old Spanish international Nico Williams from Athletic Club next year.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Nico Williams is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Athletic Club attacker is also a target for Barcelona, and he has been on the Catalan outfit’s radar since the summer transfer window. However, the Premier League champions are better placed to sign the 22-year-old forward.
The rise and rise of Nico Williams
Nico Williams has established himself as one of the best young players in the world since breaking into the first-team squad at Athletic Club a few years ago. The Pamplona native began his youth career at CA Osasuna but has risen in prominence during his spell with Athletic Club, spending over a decade with the Basque outfit.
The 22-year-old has not been at his best since playing his part in Spain’s triumphant UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, managing only two goals and five assists in 21 appearances across all competitions thus far this term. However, the Spaniard’s stock in the market remains high.
Several high-profile outfits across Europe were keen on signing the Spanish international in the summer transfer window, with Barcelona pushing for his signature for several weeks. While the Catalan giants remain keen on landing the UEFA Euro 2024 winner, they face stiff competition from Premier League champions Manchester City.
A new suitor emerges
Barcelona will not push as hard as the 2024 summer transfer window to sign Nico Williams after wasting time chasing him earlier this year. While the Catalan giants have defined the conditions, they can do with a player like Williams amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Ferran Torres.
As for Manchester City, while Savinho is promising and has a bright future, he has yet to attain the level of consistency that Pep Guardiola desires. In addition, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Jeremy Doku have blown hot and cold this season. So, Williams is an option worth considering for Manchester City.
The report suggests that the Premier League champions are better positioned than Barcelona to sign the 22-year-old Spanish international due to their superior financial condition. It will be interesting to see if Barcelona can beat City to the UEFA Euro 2024 winner next year.
