FC BARCELONA TRANSFERS
TRANSFERS: Barça wants Nico Williams but activates a spectacular Plan B!
Deco and Hansi Flick are still betting on Nico Williams but, just in case, they are already working on a BETTER, NICER AND CHEAPER signing than the Athletic winger. Discover who is the new target of FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona continues to work on the signing of Nico Williams for the next summer market, however, it is also negotiating a more affordable alternative in case it does not achieve its incorporation.
The azulgrana team seeks to strengthen its left wing with a profile of guarantees, but at the lowest possible cost. Who is the new target and what does this new option imply in sports planning?
Barça wants Nico Williams, but activates its Plan B
FC Barcelona could take an unexpected turn in its planning for the 2025 transfer market. According to sources close to the sports management, the club continues to bet on Nico Williams as a star reinforcement for the left wing next season.
But after months of negotiations without reaching an agreement with the Athletic winger, Deco and Flick have decided to expand the list of targets and look for alternatives in case the operation does not come to fruition.
The reasons behind the NO agreement Barça-Nico Williams
Barça's decision responds to several factors. On the one hand, the club's financial situation, which is still conditioned by LaLiga's fair play and the salary limit, making it difficult to face a high-cost operation like that of Nico Williams.
On the other hand, the player himself could prioritize staying in Bilbao, where he would play in the next Champions League alongside his brother Iñaki. A highly possible scenario after having already rejected a blaugrana offer last summer to stay at Athletic and play in the Europa League.
In addition, Nico's environment has conveyed to the culé board that, if they really want to sign him, they must pay his termination clause at the beginning of the market, a requirement that Barça may not be in a position to assume currently.
In addition, with big European clubs like Bayern Munich and Arsenal on the prowl and making the operation more expensive, the door of Barcelona could close definitively for the Spanish international.
Ademola Lookman, a realistic and affordable alternative for Barcelona
Faced with this scenario, Barça has already activated its Plan B. As has transpired in recent hours, the sports management has set its sights on Ademola Lookman, striker of Atalanta and one of the revelations of Serie A.
The 27-year-old Nigerian, who can play on both wings and as a second striker, has requested to leave the Italian club after tensions with the coach, which could facilitate his transfer for a figure close to 35 million euros, much lower than the valuation of Nico Williams.
The versatility, international experience and lower cost of Lookman make him an attractive option for Barça, which needs to strengthen the left wing without last-minute "setbacks" and without jeopardizing its financial stability.
For this reason, the azulgrana club has already initiated contacts and the African attacker could become the main candidate to reinforce the winger if the operation for Nico Williams fails.
The economic context and the roadmap of Deco and Hansi Flick
The economic situation of Barça forces to prioritize financial viability in each market movement. And, for the moment, given the lack of agreement for Nico Williams and the impossibility of competing with offers from the Premier or the Bundesliga, Deco and Flick have opted for a profile of proven but accessible player.
The objective is still to provide the team with greater offensive depth and quality alternatives for a game model that demands unbalanced wingers, but always under the premise of sustainability, reinforcing the squad but without mortgaging the future of the club.
Statistics of Nico Williams in the 2024-2025 season
Nico Williams has consolidated his role as one of the most decisive wingers in LaLiga during the 2024-2025 season with Athletic Club. Below, we review his complete statistics: matches, goals, assists and minutes played.
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga | 28 | 5 | 5 | 1919 |
| Europa League | 13 | 5 | 2 | 955 |
| Copa del Rey | 2 | 1 | 0 | 120 |
| Supercopa España | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Total | 44 | 11 | 7 | 3021 |
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In LaLiga, Nico Williams has played 28 matches, scoring 5 goals and providing 5 assists, with 1,919 minutes played.
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In the Europa League he has 5 goals and 2 assists in 13 matches.
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In the Copa del Rey he has scored 1 goal in 2 matches.
What can Lookman contribute to Barça?
Ademola Lookman, international with Nigeria and with experience in Premier League and Serie A, stands out for his speed, dribbling and ability to adapt to different offensive schemes.
In the current season with Atalanta, he has added key goals and assists, and his market value, around 35 million euros, makes him a more realistic bet for the blaugrana club.
The arrival of Lookman would mean an immediate reinforcement for the left wing, allowing Flick to maintain his commitment to vertical play and overflow, but without compromising the financial balance of the entity.
Statistics of Ademola Lookman in the 2024/2025 season
Ademola Lookman has been one of the great figures of Atalanta, showing an elite offensive performance both in Serie A and in European competitions. Below, we review his most relevant statistics: matches, goals, assists and minutes played.
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 28 | 13 | 5 | 2.132 |
| Champions League | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1.255 |
| Coppa Italia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 180 |
| Total | 37 | 19 | 7 | 3.567 |
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In Serie A, Lookman has played 28 matches, scoring 13 goals and providing 5 assists, with an average of 0.46 goals per match and 2,132 minutes played.
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In the Champions League he has 5 goals and 1 assist in 7 matches, consolidating himself as one of the most decisive attackers in the tournament.
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In Coppa Italia, he has contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in 2 matches.
Barça prioritizes sustainability in its new project
FC Barcelona could decide to close the stage of Nico Williams as a great market objective and bet on a more affordable and realistic alternative. Ademola Lookman emerges as the Plan B that fits in the new culé roadmap: talent, experience and affordable cost.
In a context where the economy commands as much as the tactics, Barça seeks balance to continue strengthening its squad and compete at the highest level but without mortgaging its future.
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