Barcelona Back in the Race for Nico Williams After Agent Meeting
Barcelona may have changed their stance on signing Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, after reports revealed they recently met with his agent to discuss a potential transfer.
Although the club had publicly downplayed the likelihood of a deal—citing interest in alternatives like Liverpool’s Luis Díaz—it now appears they are still considering Williams. The meeting, which involved Barcelona’s sporting director Deco, was reportedly intended to clarify whether the club remained interested.
Williams has long been a target for Barça, but after they failed to secure him last summer, other clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich entered the race. Barcelona’s recent move suggests they are not yet out of the running, although financial constraints remain a concern. The 22-year-old has a €62 million ($71.6M) release clause, and Barcelona insist any deal must be financially viable. Williams would also need to lower his salary demands to join.
Reports suggest that while Williams requested a €20 million ($23.1M) contract from Bayern, he has expressed willingness to accept the €12 million ($13.9M) package offered by Barcelona last year—signaling his preference to move to Catalonia.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal—close friends with Williams—posted a picture of the two celebrating together, hinting at a potential future as club teammates. Sources including Fabrizio Romano indicate Williams is now more open to the move after hesitating in 2024.
Meanwhile, Athletic Club is working to extend Williams’s contract and increase his release clause to deter interested clubs. However, the final decision rests with the player.
Several European clubs are ready to meet his current release clause, while Barcelona explore ways to accommodate the cost within their summer transfer budget.
