Barcelona step up Nico Williams transfer with 'GREEN LIGHT' give for deal

Suraj Radia

28 Jun 2024 18:00 BST
3 min read

Nico Williams, Spain, Euro 2024 — © IMAGO

Hansi Flick is said to be ‘seduced’ by Nico Williams, with the Barcelona manager giving the green light for the club to pursue a deal for the Athletic Bilbao star.

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Williams is currently at EURO 2024 with Spain, where he has impressed with his dribbling ability, intensifying the speculation over his future due to the appealing release clause in his contract.

The 21-year-old only renewed his contract in Bilbao at the end of last year, however his buyout fee remained at €60 million – an amount which has tempted the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea to activate this summer.

According to SPORT, while Flick did not insist on Barca making any specific transfers during the talks to hire him, both he and the club agreed that Williams should be the ‘priority’ if a move is financially possible.

Williams has insisted he has no desire to leave Athletic but Barca will still try to sign him this summer, however it will all depend on whether the club can raise enough funds through player sales to finance a move.

Currently a deal is not viable for Barca and cheaper targets will be considered but Williams is said to be the player that ‘seduces’ Flick the most and is the priority if the club choose to splash the cash on a left winger.

© IMAGO - Nico Williams has impressed for club and country recently

Barcelona could target Liverpool star as Williams alternative

Williams has established himself as a standout star for Athletic, grabbing 16 goal contributions last season, and the winger insisted the constant speculation surrounding him is ‘hard to deal with’.

STATS

Nico Williams

M (R), AM (RL)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (R), AM (RL)

Athletic

37

Games
8

Goals
16

Assists

“It's hard to deal with, because everyone is constantly asking you what you're going to do with your future,” Williams said. I'm a 21-year-old kid who just wants to play football.

“I have already said that Athletic is my home. I just renewed recently. I am very happy, very happy.”

Should a deal for Williams not be possible, Barcelona could move for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, despite an acceptance that the Colombian lacks the same level of ‘explosiveness’ as the Bilbao star.

A surprise move for Hull City winger Jadon Philogene has also been considered, with the 22-year-old being offered to Barca on loan in a low-cost deal, having scored 12 goals in the Championship last season.