The battle for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is escalating with Barcelona and Arsenal trying to win the lottery and vying for the 22-year-old Spanish sensation. Williams is reinvigorated off of his Euro 2024 championship win and an incredible campaign (11 goals, 7 assists), and is left at a crossroads, with a team he has wanted to play for since childhood, versus his ambitions of playing in the Premier League.
Barcelona: The Heart’s Choice of Bilbao Winger
Nico Williams is a lottery for the Blaugrana and his preference for Barcelona crystallized on June 13–14. When his agent Félix Tainta met with sporting director Deco, a clandestine encounter that left Athletic Club “stunned”. The winger reportedly conveyed a “clear message” to Barça: he is “desperate” and “eager” to join the Catalans. Manager Hansi Flick personally phoned Williams to outline his vision, emphasizing a potential partnership with Lamine Yamal, Williams’ Spain teammate. Yamal fueled speculation by posting a photo with Williams shortly after the meeting.
🚨🚨🌕| CONFIRMED: Nico Williams has OPENED the doors to a Barcelona move! His agent delivered this message to the club in the meeting today.
Last year, it was Barcelona who wanted Nico, but now, the roles seem to have REVERSED.
[@FabrizioRomano] 🔵🔴🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/qAHjP4nhT8
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) June 13, 2025
Yet financial hurdles loom. Barça must activate his €58m (£49m) release clause while navigating La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play rules. Williams seeks wages near €380,000/week (£322,000)—a figure that strains Barça’s budget. Complicating matters, the club views Liverpool’s Luis Díaz as a cheaper alternative, offering under €60m (£51m) for the Colombian.
Arsenal: The Pragmatic Pursuit for Bilbao Winger
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal remain undeterred. The Gunners are prepared to participate in the Nico Williams lottery by triggering £49m clause and have tabled a “high-priced contract”. However, it falls short of his salary demands. With a left-forward role vacant after injuries derailed their 2024/25 title bid, Williams’ speed and creativity align perfectly with Arteta’s system. However, Arsenal’s hesitation on wages—coupled with Williams’ Barça leanings—has relegated them to underdog status. As The Daily Mail noted, this potential double rejection stings after last summer’s failed pursuit.
The Leverage Games
Bayern Munich’s late entry adds intrigue. While Williams is “open” to Bayern, reports suggest he may be using their interest as leverage to pressure Barcelona. Athletic Club, meanwhile, cling to hope of retaining their star. President Jon Uriarte champions a “winning project”. He plans a new contract offer, though the release clause leaves them powerless if triggered.
For Barcelona, Williams represents a generational fit alongside Yamal and Pedri. But finances could force a pivot to Díaz or even Marcus Rashford. For Arsenal, losing Williams would mean scrambling for alternatives in a thin winger market. As Deco weighs fiscal constraints against Flick’s wishes, and Arteta’s resolve meets financial reality, Williams’ future hinges on one question. Will Barcelona turn his dream into a bid? .
The Stakes
The battle for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has crystallized into a three-way contest between Barcelona, Arsenal, and his current club, with Bayern Munich lingering as a credible outsider. Despite intense interest from elite European sides, Williams’ future hinges on three critical factors:
Williams openly favors staying in Spain, making Barcelona his emotional choice. However, Arsenal’s aggressive pursuit—including willingness to pay his €58m (£49m) release clause and offer a “high-priced contract”—positions them as a viable alternative. Bayern’s “very real” interest adds pressure, though their focus on financial terms contrasts with Arsenal’s emphasis on sporting ambition.
While Barcelona’s cultural fit and Williams’ personal connections (e.g., Yamal) offer allure, Arsenal’s decisiveness and financial clarity make them the pragmatic frontrunner. Should Barcelona fail to formalize their interest swiftly, the Gunners are poised to capitalize—transforming this saga into a test of ambition versus sentiment. Athletic Club’s last-ditch contract extension efforts add intrigue, but Williams’ “next step” mentality suggests a summer departure is inevitable.
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