It may be the beginning of the end for Bayern Munich’s hopes of beating Barcelona to Nico Williams.
The La Liga winger, also reportedly courted by the Premier League’s Arsenal, could now soon sign for the incumbent Spanish champions.
A deal, it should be emphasised, has yet to be signed, with Barça requiring a cash injection to get the ball rolling.
Bayern-linked Williams registered 11 goals and seven assists in 45 games for Athletic Bilbao last term (across all competitions).
Bayern have one Nico Williams hope
Nico Williams jumps on Martin Zubimendi during Spain game.
(Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
FC Bayern are going to have to hope that Barcelona can’t scrimp and save enough cash to fund a move for the Spain international.
Certainly, the Bundesliga winners are going to get no help in negotiations with the player’s camp given, as Christian Falk reports, Williams is already ‘leaning’ towards the Spanish giants.
“FC Bayern are hoping that FC Barcelona do not have the money for Nico Williams. However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is very sure that he will end up getting Nico Williams financed because of this deal,” the Bayern expert exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.
“Williams is leaning towards a move to Barça. There has already been a meeting with sporting director Deco. Laporta wants to make money. However, a repayment of a deal with the German investor ‘Libero Football Finance’ totalling €40m is imminent.
“The company joined Barça in August 2023 and was supposed to pay €60m for shares. However, only €20m of this had been transferred so far. After lengthy disputes with the company, the money is now set to flow into Barcelona’s 2025/26 budget.
“This should fulfil ‘Financial Fair Play’ in La Liga and allow Barça to act again. Barcelona could, therefore, afford to buy Williams.”
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Bradley Barcola looks on as Kingsley Coman punches the air next to a smiling Christian Falk.
Hansi Flick watches games between Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao
Max Eberl smiling during Bayern Munich match
Max Eberl coy on Nico Williams links
Bayern chief Max Eberl kept his cards close to his chest when asked about the links to Nico Williams.
“I don’t know anything about that,” he told the press.
Barcelona have a similar advantage of time
It’s not a particularly rosy situation for Bayern either as far as the financials are concerned.
Max Eberl is more than aware of the fact that the immediate priority is to raise funds through player sales. Some positive progress has already been made with the sale of Mathys Tel (€35m [£29.9m]) to Tottenham and Leroy Sané’s impending departure on a free transfer.
Will this be enough to push on for Nico Williams? No. Further funds are required to be raised, though Bayern do believe they can raise up to €165m [£141m].
We’ll have to hope Die Roten can succeed in this task before another suitor steps onto the scene with the necessary cash on hand.
Otherwise, Barcelona will look to press the advantage and capitalise on FC Bayern’s need to sell.
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