Nico Williams is one of the great desired players by FC Barcelona's sports management for the next season. At just 22 years old, he has established himself as one of the most unbalancing wingers in LaLiga. His speed, dribbling, and ability to break through make him a perfect fit for Hansi Flick's system.
Deco has been following the Athletic Club footballer for months. He considers him a priority addition to strengthen the wings, but the problem isn't his release clause, it's his salary. That's where a very difficult rival has appeared: Bayern Munich.
Bayern Puts a Million-Dollar Offer on the Table
According to sources close to the negotiation, the German club has offered Nico Williams a contract with a salary of 10 million euros net per season. A figure that would make him one of Barça's highest-paid players, only behind Lewandowski and De Jong.
That proposal has changed everything. Nico Williams has let Barça know that he wants to be treated like a star and has asked to match what Bayern offers him. "If you want me, I want to feel valued," would have been the message conveyed to the Barça leadership.
At Camp Nou offices, they recognize Nico Williams's talent, but they also know that their economic situation remains delicate. To be able to assume such a salary, the club would need to close several important sales. Otherwise, it would be impossible to comply with financial fair play.
Moreover, there are already several players in the locker room with high salaries. Including another in that salary scale could create internal imbalances and tensions. Especially if Nico joins a team where he would have to compete for minutes with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
The Player Pushes: Wants Prominence and Top Salary
Nico Williams not only wants a good contract, but he also wants a leading role. His entourage believes that at Barça he can grow even more as a footballer, but he won't accept being a regular substitute. The offers from Bayern and Arsenal guarantee him a starting position, something Barça hasn't promised him yet.
The Barça sports management is considering offering him a staggered contract, with a salary that increases over the seasons. But it's not clear if that will be enough to convince him, especially if Bayern keeps their offer firm.
The signing of Nico Williams can only be done by paying his full release clause. Athletic Club is not willing to negotiate or accept players in the operation. That means that, in addition to the salary, Barça would have to pay 58 million euros.
Although the amount is manageable with income from sales, the salary seriously complicates the entire plan. Deco and Laporta's priority is not to jeopardize the economic stability that has been so hard to recover in the last two years.
Bayern Accelerates and Barça Considers
While Barça studies how to tackle this operation, Bayern Munich has accelerated contacts with Nico's entourage. Their proposal is clear, direct, and without conditions. That could be definitive.
At Camp Nou, they know that if they don't move quickly, they'll lose a unique opportunity. Nico Williams wants to wear the Barça jersey, but he also wants his effort to be valued as it deserves. The summer will be long, but the pressure is already on the table.