Robin Bairner
Nico Williams, Athletic Club, 2024/25
© IMAGO
Nico Williams will only move to Barcelona on one condition, enhancing the chances of Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea to sign the Spain winger.
Stellar performances from the Athletic Club ace last term had led to intense speculation that he would be on the move during the summer, with his release fee of €58 million seen as a bargain price.
Nico, however, decided to remain in Bilbao, notably turning down the opportunity to move to Barca, who had been the club pushing hardest to sign him.
Interest still remains from big clubs around Europe, despite the younger Williams brother – Inaki is also at Athletic – struggling to find his best level again this season. He has five goals and four assists across all competitions, yet he has tended to sparkle in individual matches and not for prolonged periods.
Barcelona have reportedly told Williams that they will only sign him on one condition. Having been insulted by his decision to knock them back last summer, the Blaugrana have indicated to Nico that they will only sign him if he shows a clear sign of wanting to wear their colours, Fichajes reports.
The Athletic star is still considered to be a “key target” for the summer, with Ferran Torres earmarked to make way for him to come into the team.
Nico Williams
© IMAGO - Nico Williams
What this means for Premier League clubs
Nico Williams had reportedly preferred to remain in Spain than move to England last summer, yet the prospect of signing him has improved for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
In part, this is to do with Barcelona’s ongoing financial difficulties. It had been promised that a new deal with Nike might revolutionise the situation for the Blaugrana, but this has not proven to be the case. While things have improved, the Catalans are still looking for ways to cut costs.
While a €58 million deal is likely not beyond them, it does appear that it would still stretch them unless big sales can be made.
On top of this, Raphinha’s fine form as an inside forward means that there is no immediate need to upgrade in this area.
All of this plays into the hands of the Premier League sides, with Arsenal in particular chasing a new attacking midfielder in the mould of Nico.
Raheem Sterling is likely to return to Chelsea at the end of his Emirates loan, freeing up the possibility of the winger joining the Gunners.