Nico Williams-Barça: the winger is of interest to the club, but... is he still a priority?

Will there be a Nico Williams-Barça 'soap opera' next summer? For now, there don't seem to be clear signs. However, given Barcelona's desire to incorporate a player capable of playing on the left wing in the next summer market and who offers a similar profile to Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, it is not surprising that the name of the Pamplona forward is back on the table, as it already happened in the past.

Nico is interesting to reinforce the left wing, but it is not the only option that Barça is considering

Initially, the incorporation of the youngest of the Williams brothers to the Ciudad Condal team gives the impression of being surrounded by a certain complexity. Firstly, because of the position of the Azulgrana club. This was hinted at by Joan Laporta in his most recent public appearance, where he acknowledged on 'TV3' that "other market options are being considered" to strengthen the left wing.

Therefore, at least for now, Nico Williams does not appear as an absolute priority for the Culé team, which would also be considering other alternatives for that position:

1. Rafael Leão (AC Milan)
2. Luis Díaz (Liverpool)

The arguments that make Barcelona not rule out Nico Williams yet

However, the name of Nico Williams cannot be completely ruled out in Barcelona's plans. Firstly, because of his market value: the Pamplona native, who in this 2024/25 season has 11 goals and seven assists in 44 matches, has not renewed his contract with Athletic Club, so he maintains a release clause of €58M. A relatively affordable amount in a context where prices for players tend to be exorbitant.

Related

Flick rejects the signing of Luis Díaz and points to Nico Williams as a priority

Likewise, his arrival would be a real 'boom', both in sporting and emotional terms. Barça would incorporate a young, daring, fast winger with dribbling and imbalance, ideal to exploit the left side and with less tendency to close towards the middle, as it happens with Raphinha.

To this is added that his signing would be well received in the dressing room by players such as Lamine Yamal or Alejandro Balde, with whom he maintains a close friendship. That could facilitate his adaptation to the team.

What if the Pamplona native chooses to stay at Athletic?

We will have to see what finally happens with the future of Nico Williams. Although the option of his transfer, either to Barcelona or to another of the many clubs interested in his services, is latent, his continuity in the Bilbao team cannot be ruled out either.

And the '10' of the Lions has solid arguments to continue one more season at Athletic Club. The Basque team will play in the next edition of the Champions League, after several years of absence (they have not done so since the 2014/15 season), which is a very important sporting incentive.

An attraction that is feasible that weighs on the decision of the winger, who for now has not spoken about it, focused on recovering from pubalgia that has affected his performance in recent weeks.