Nico Williams' future could be taking a 180-degree turn in this summer market. The 22-year-old left winger from Pamplona seems ready for a change of scenery after a season of ups and downs with Athletic Club, where he totaled 11 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances.
Now, would his departure to FC Barcelona be feasible in this summer window? It is worth remembering that the 'culé' team already wanted him last summer. However, the 'Leones' forward ended up prioritizing his continuity in the Basque team, which, determined to retain him, gave him the number '10' jersey.
In addition, they convinced him with the sports project, the qualification for European competitions and the dream - finally frustrated - of playing a Europa League final in San Mamés. A dream that vanished after falling in the 'semis' against Manchester United.
The profile Barça is looking for in attack points to Nico Williams again
However, with the opening of a new summer transfer market, the name of Nico Williams reappears on Barcelona's agenda. According to his spokesman regarding the sports management, Deco, the Catalan team will seek to reinforce its attack with a top-level player, with characteristics similar to Lamine Yamal: a daring dribbler, with overflow, constant in one-on-one situations and who takes advantage of the flank.
This description fits perfectly with the left winger. However, although he is still liked by the club, he no longer seems to be a priority. The sports management also values other names such as Luis Díaz (Liverpool) or Rafael Leão (AC Milan).
What obstacles does the 'azulgrana' club face to sign the left winger from Pamplona?
Even so, as long as it remains an option, the name of Nico Williams will continue to orbit in the universe of possible incorporations of Barcelona. However, as has already been reported, his arrival should occur under favorable economic conditions.
This time, the Barcelona team approaches the operation from a different perspective than last summer: no longer from necessity, but from the caution of an entity that does not want to relive a rejection like the previous one, which, as expected, did not sit well with the 'culé' sports management, reducing the strength of his candidacy to wear the 'azulgrana' colors.
Hansi Flick's approval would revive the Nico Williams option for Barcelona
But they did not rule him out completely. Even, according to 'El Nacional.cat' recently, Hansi Flick would have given his approval to his incorporation, in case Barça decides to go for him. The aforementioned source assures that the board has reconsidered his signing after the German coach stated internally that he sees in Nico Williams a very useful player for the style of play he wants to implement.
Also, to the presumed interest of the German coach, a factor that can play in favor of the transfer is added: the youngest of the Williams brothers maintains a close relationship with several players in the 'culé' dressing room, such as Lamine Yamal or Alejandro Balde, who would welcome his arrival to the team.
All this reopens the door to a possible offensive by the club from the Condal City for his services, knowing that the forward maintains a termination clause of €60M. An amount that, in times of exorbitant prices, could be considered a market opportunity.
CLUBS TO WHICH NICO WILLIAMS HAS BEEN LINKED RECENTLY:
- Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid
- Arsenal
Now it only remains to be seen how the transfer window develops. The arrival of Nico Williams to FC Barcelona no longer looks like a utopia. But everything will depend on his position, the economic conditions of the negotiation, and whether Athletic agrees to negotiate a price below the clause or insists on the 60 'kilos'. In that framework, it is not ruled out that in the coming days conversations will be opened to try to steer the operation. Will this be the definitive one this time? Only time will tell.