Barça Remains Attentive to the Transfer Market in Search of a Winger, and One of the Names Still on the List Is Nico Williams. The Athletic Club player will have to 'compete' with Luis Díaz and Rafael Leao. Barça's idea is to strengthen the attack with a footballer capable of making a difference in one-on-one situations and providing width.
Despite the club's economic difficulties, Nico Williams remains a realistic target, especially due to his release clause of 60M (60 millones), which would make his arrival easier. However, the Barça board has not yet made a definitive decision and continues to analyze all options before taking the final step.
Nico Williams's Supporters in the Locker Room
Despite his great potential, there are doubts at Barça about Nico Williams's performance this season. His impact in terms of goals and assists has decreased compared to last season, which creates some uncertainties within the club. In the offices, some believe that his inconsistency could be a problem if he is signed.
However, within Barça's locker room, there are several players who do support his arrival. Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, and Pedri, who share a locker room with Nico Williams in the Spanish National Team, are some of those who view his signing very favorably. They believe that his speed and dribbling would be a great complement to the team and think he would adapt well to the group's dynamics.
There Are Two People Reluctant to His Signing
There are also people against it in the club, and one of the main opponents to Nico Williams's signing is Raphinha. The winger is having a spectacular season, with 27 goals to his personal account, and he believes that his performance has shown that it's not necessary to strengthen that position. From his point of view, Barça's priority should be to strengthen other areas instead of investing in a player who would come to compete directly with him.
Raphinha Has Been Key in Many Matches This Season, establishing himself as one of the most important offensive pieces of the team. His commitment to the club and his desire to remain a starter make him see Nico's possible arrival as a direct threat.
Other Priorities
Besides Raphinha, Hansi Flick also doesn't see the incorporation of Nico Williams as a priority. The German coach considers that the team's real need is a center forward who can give Robert Lewandowski a rest, who at 36 years old needs a reliable alternative.
Flick believes that strengthening the "9" position would have a greater impact on the team's performance than the arrival of another winger. His preference is to have a versatile forward who can provide goals and presence in the area when Lewandowski is not on the field. Therefore, although Nico Williams is still on the list, his signing is by no means assured, and his future will depend on how the market evolves in the coming months.