Nico Williams ‘overtaken’ on Barcelona’s shortlist

Robin Bairner

• 3 Oct 2024 14:15 BST
• 2 min read

Nico Williams might have been holding out for a move to Barcelona, but according to a report from Spain, the Athletic Club winger could be left disappointed.

Barca sporting director Deco has reportedly had his head turned by Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has returned to the Camp Nou sides agenda and, according to El Nacional, has even overtaken Nico Williams on their transfer shortlist.

It is stated that the Georgia international, 23, has impressed those at Camp Nou with his performances under Antonio Conte early in the season and has even moved to the top of their priority list on the left wing.

Fabrizio Romano transfer news: CRUCIAL Ten Hag days, CRAZY Yamal bid, Reece James GUARANTEE

Kvaratskhelia is a player that Barcelona have been interested in previously, while PSG were chased off the winger by Napoli last summer, with the Italian side asking for an extortionate transfer fee.

The Ligue 1 champions were quoted a price of over €100 million, with Kvaratskhelia’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) set at €68.3 million.

Compared

Nico Williams

F, M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

F, M (L)

Athletic

VS

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

F, AM (L)

Napoli

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

F, AM (L)

Napoli

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

10	Appearances	10
1	Goals	4
1	Assists	3
12	Key Passes	25

Nico Williams still favourite to move to Barca

With Napoli unlikely to budge on this stance – their stubbornness when it comes to their transfer demands were amply displayed this summer in the Victor Osimhen saga – it still appears that an operation to sign Nico Williams is the likelier transfer.

The Spain international, after all, has a release clause of just €58m in his deal.

Not only does this make him substantially cheaper than Kvaratskhelia, it also means that negotiations will be rather easier to conduct – assuming they can raise the funds to complete a deal.

That is unlikely to be an issue for Barcelona by that point, however. A huge contract with Nike is expected to be signed imminently, which should open the door to the club making blockbuster deals once again.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have also been linked with a surprising move to re-sign Neymar on a free transfer from Al-Hilal.