Barcelona make decision on Nico Williams transfer pursuit | OneFootball

Barcelona don't plan to reignite last summer's pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams when the summer transfer window opens, reports in Spain claim.

Williams enjoyed a strong 2023/24 campaign at club level, racking up 27 goals and assists across all competitions, before playing a standout role at Euro 2024 included scoring Spain's opener in the triumphant final against England.

The 22-year-old wound up staying in Bilbao, pledging his immediate future to his boyhood club at the same time that Barcelona's delicate finances wouldn't have allowed an approach anyway.

The Catalans are now in a healthier position after getting back onto 1:1 spending rules ahead of next season and remain in the market for attackers. They had considered Marcus Rashford in January, but player departures that didn't happen were still required in the mid-season window.

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo write that Barca continue to specifically target a forward who is primarily a left winger but can also play centrally as a 'false nine' when required.

Liverpool's Luis Diaz is of interest to Barcelona / Stu Forster/GettyImages

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, who has started to play through the middle at Anfield to accommodate Cody Gakpo in the wide role, is said to be the option 'most liked' at Barcelona. Rafael Leao, a player increasingly linked with the club in recent months, is also in the mix.

But Williams, despite Joan Laporta's public desires to land him off the back of the Euros, is slipping off the radar. The player's dip in form – it's only one goal and four assists in 20 La Liga appearances so far this season – combined with Athletic Club's response to the previous transfer pursuit and also the unsavoury 'Negreira case', have contributed to the likelihood that there is no 2025 follow-up.

Barcelona are also considering specialised 'number nine' options to strengthen up front, with Robert Lewandowski due to turn 37 in August. Targets range from the cheap to the super expensive, with soon to be free agent Jonathan David among the possibilities, in addition to Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, both valued at €100m by their respective clubs.