Nico Williams has been linked with FC Barcelona in recent transfer windows. The player, who, like his close friend Lamine Yamal, has been on fire in recent seasons, is highly regarded by the Barça management, who know they need a winger of his caliber for their team. However, the failure to sign him last summer has cooled the interest to such an extent that other signings have taken precedence, leaving the Navarrese player’s future up in the air.
Barça’s need for a winger
At FC Barcelona, they are clear that the priority is to keep the team that has brought them great success this season under Hansi Flick, but they also have several fronts open to finalize the squad for next season, in which the main objective is to fight for the Champions League, which has eluded them this season. The biggest wish in Barcelona is to sign a left-footed winger.
This is not a new need, as work was done in this area last summer, but it is now a consensus objective between Deco and Hansi Flick, who are aware that they need a player capable of opening up the field and creating space. “Suddenly we feel very dependent on Raphinha and Lamine. Maybe we need similar players, a solution for them. The squad is fairly balanced and we also have a lot of good things at the base,“ said Deco a few days ago.
In this regard, two names stand out above the rest: Luis Díaz and Marcus Rashford. Hansi Flick spoke about them at a press conference. ”I don’t want to talk about players who are not in my team. But they are both fantastic, I like them and we’ll see what happens. They are fantastic.”
Either one would fit perfectly into what FC Barcelona is looking for, but the problem right now, as is often the case with Barça lately, lies in the price of the deal. The first and favorite belongs to Liverpool, who will not let him go for less than 70-80 million. In the case of the English player, Manchester United is convinced to sell him but will not do so at any price; they want 40 million.
The decision with Nico Williams
When talking about signing a winger for FC Barcelona, the name Nico Williams always comes up. This season, the player has been key to the Basque team’s success in Europe and to the Lions’ qualification for the Champions League, finishing fourth in LaLiga. However, Mundo Deportivo reports that the Azulgranas have already ruled out Nico Williams. The player’s desire to play in the Champions League with the team of his life would have been a key factor, as well as the interest of Real Madrid, with whom he has also been linked.
Nico Williams and Real Madrid
In recent weeks, the player has been linked with Real Madrid, with many media outlets even reporting that the deal was done. The deal seems to have cooled off, but the interest was real. According to MARCA a few weeks ago, the Whites seriously considered paying the player’s release clause, which is around €58-60 million. However, although not ruled out, the Whites’ priorities right now, unless there are any departures, are to strengthen other areas of the field.