Barcelona have seemingly now decided that Nico Williams is their top target for the summer transfer window and have reportedly already reached agreement on a six-year contract with the Spain star.
Hansi Flick’s side are also said to have the funds available to pay Williams’ release clause and bring him to Catalunya from Bilbao before the start of the 2025-26 season.
The only problem is how they are going to be able to make room for him on the wage bill. As La Liga president Javier Tebas has already pointed out, “if they want Nico, they have to sell and make some major adjustments to their books.”
Some departures are already expected: Ansu Fati should move to Monaco, Clement Lenglet has already gone, while Pau Victor, Pablo Torre and Inaki Pena could be offloaded, too.
But that won’t be enough to lower the wage bill enough for Williams. According to Mundo Deportivo, more will be needed and the most likely high-profile departures are Marc-Andre ter Stegen or Ronald Araujo.
It’s easy to see why those two names have popped up. Ter Stegen seems about to lose his No. 1 spot to Joan Garcia. Yet whether he can be convinced to leave, when it seems he is determined to stay, is another matter entirely.
Araujo’s situation isn’t too dissimilar. He’s no longer a guaranteed starter at Barcelona and an exit appeared on the cards earlier this winter. If offers arrive then Barca will surely be happy to listen, but will Araujo after signing a new contract in January?
A difficult situation then but one that Barcelona do have time to resolve before La Liga is due to kick off on August 17.