Barcelona official announcement ‘a matter of time’ as Nico Williams update drops

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 21 Feb 2025 04:38 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona’s plans for the summer transfer window are gathering speed, with LaLiga’s leaders in position to make an official announcement on their first deal anytime soon.

Sporting director Deco is seeking to make progress on several fronts in the weeks ahead and as such Barca have been linked with numerous players from Luis Diaz (Liverpool) and Nico Williams (Athletic Club) on the wing to Jonathan Tah in defence.

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Already the Camp Nou side are poised to announce an official deal, with Christian Falk confirming that an agreement is in place to secure the arrival of free agent Tah from Bayer Leverkusen.

Amidst rumours that B04 could still retain the defender, the transfer expert says that will not be the case.

“Leverkusen bosses have been informed that the defender will leave the club in the summer. He will then be a free agent. FC Bayern will not make him an offer. The announcement of his move to FC Barcelona is only a matter of time,” he wrote for Caught Offside.

This comes as little surprise, with Mundo Deportivo having confirmed the move.

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Current ETV

Jonathan Tah

D (C)

Bayer 04

Jonathan Tah

D (C)

Bayer 04

€26.8M

ETV Range

€24.1M - €29.5M

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Barcelona's Nico Williams transfer plan reshaped

Barcelona continue to operate on a shoestring budget, and for that reason, concessions may be required elsewhere as Hansi Flick aims for his squad to be strengthened.

This means that in the attack, Barca are rethinking their plans to land a player of the calibre of Nico Williams, Luis Diaz or Rafael Leao.

The transfer fees associated with these players is putting Barcelona off a move, El Nacional reports, and now the club is turning towards cheaper viable alternatives.

Ademola Lookman of Atalanta is one player being particularly considered. His ability to play off either wing or through the middle is seen as an asset.

Following a spectacular public clash with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after the club’s exit from the Champions League against Club Brugge, he appears to be very firmly on the transfer market.

The Nigeria international, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV), is seen as a significantly cheaper alternative. Atalanta are likely to ask €40-45 million for the attacker.