Barcelona ‘destined’ to beat Premier League clubs to Nico Williams transfer | OneFootball

Barcelona are going to great lengths to beat off Premier League competition for Nico Williams in the summer transfer window.

The Athletic Club de Bilbao winger attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Arsenal and Chelsea, following his stellar performances at Euro 2024 as Spain beat England to glory this past month.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Juventus and Newcastle United have also been linked with the 22-year-old in the past.

Williams signed a contract extension last year that sees him earn £170,000 per week (£8.8m per annum), but he reportedly has a release clause set at £49m.

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The Times say that Williams ‘appears destined’ for the Camp Nou, although Barcelona‘s ability to afford the young attacker has been called into question.

Club president Joan Laporta this week tried to put those worries to bed, claiming that their finances enable them to sign star names this summer.

“Our financial situation has improved a lot. We’re close to normality,” he said. “Today, Barça can sign big names as we did our job. We will clarify our financial situation soon.”

However, Spanish outlet La Vanguardia report that Barcelona have requested a bank loan in order to complete the deal, suggesting they do not currently possess the money required to sign Williams.

They also claim that Williams has not yet agreed on personal terms. He has been offered a five-year deal that will see him earn what he is getting at Athletic right now in his first season, with his salary increasing over time.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick would not be drawn on the potential transfer when asked this week. “Nico Williams is under contract with another club and I can’t say anything.”

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