With just over three months to go before the transfer market starts rolling again, Nico Williams's name is back in the spotlight. After a challenging start to the season with injuries and media pressure, the Athletic Club winger has regained his best form and is once again that player who excelled with Spain. Therefore, all the clubs that had him on their list of potential signings won't let another summer pass without trying to sign him.
In fact, Nico Williams was very close to signing for FC Barcelona last summer, but his future seems to be moving further away from the Catalan club. With his level on the rise and a release clause accessible to the big teams, several have set their sights on him. This time Arsenal is expected to be one of the protagonists of the next transfer market, especially with Nico Williams on Mikel Arteta's radar.
Arsenal Takes the Lead
One of the teams most interested in acquiring Nico Williams's services is Bayern Munich. The Bavarian club is in the midst of rebuilding and is looking for young players with talent and potential to strengthen their squad for the next season. The Spanish winger fits perfectly into that profile, so they are willing to pay his release clause, set at around €60 million.
However, the Premier League hasn't been slow to react either. According to "BILD", Arsenal has already initiated contacts with Nico Williams's agents to get ahead of their rivals and secure his signing. Arteta considers him key to strengthening his squad and continuing to compete at the elite level, especially knowing that it is an unbeatable market opportunity.
Barça, Further Away
Certainly, Nico's release clause is considered a "bargain" for Arsenal or Bayern Munich, who would have no problem paying those €60 million. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona continues to analyze its options to strengthen the left wing, but the possibility of signing the Spanish winger has lost momentum. It's no wonder: the economic situation is delicate, and although he remains on the list of potential signings, he is no longer considered a priority due to the competition to sign him.
Barça's dream of bringing in Nico Williams could vanish definitively if Arsenal or Bayern finalize his signing in the summer. More and more clubs are betting on the Spaniard, so everything points to his future being decided soon. Meanwhile, amid the uncertainty, names like Luis Díaz or Rafael Leão are gaining strength to join FC Barcelona.