Nico Williams wants him to leave Barça and sign with Athletic: 'You'll be a starter here'

Nico Williams is Athletic Club's main reference point, and not just on the field. The Navarrese, who became the highest-paid player in the club's history after his latest contract renewal, also wants to influence the market. According to reports, he has taken a step forward to try to convince a Barça talent.

The winger, currently with the Spanish National Team, has already made his message clear. He believes that at Barça, under Hansi Flick's management, the footballer in question doesn't have real opportunities. He has delivered a very clear message: "You'll be a starter here."

The context of an unexpected move

In Bilbao, they don't hide their ambition. After several years of building a competitive project, the board aims to strengthen the squad with young players of proven quality. Williams, who knows La Roja's locker room well, has taken advantage of his closeness to try to attract a peer from his generation.

The summer transfer window has already ended, but at Athletic, they are thinking about the January window. Ernesto Valverde wants an attacking reinforcement who can provide speed, dribbling, and consistency in attack. The chance to sign a discarded Barça player is appealing both from a sporting and financial perspective.

Meanwhile, at Barça, a concerning pattern is repeating itself. The excess competition has left several players with hardly any playing time. Flick, despite his commitment to young players, has prioritized more experienced pieces in the opening matches.

A crowded Barça locker room

Barça's squad is full of talent in the attacking area. Among Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Dani Olmo, the space for new breakthroughs is minimal. To that list, you have to add Gavi and Fermín, who can also play as attacking midfielders.

That overcrowding is what fuels Nico Williams's message. "You're not going to play with Flick," the winger reportedly said, aware that at Athletic, the scenario would be very different. There, opportunities would come immediately, in a team that is playing in the Champions League this season.

This situation hasn't gone unnoticed in the Barça locker room. Some players have been surprised by Nico's interest in getting involved in a teammate's plans. In Bilbao, they celebrate that their star is also getting involved off the field.

The player chosen by Nico

The footballer Nico Williams is targeting is Dani Rodríguez, a young Barça winger who has barely featured at the start of this season. Born in Astigarraga, he already knows Basque soccer well and would immediately fit into Athletic's style.

Rodríguez was on the way out on the last day of the transfer window, but his injury frustrated any possibility. Now, with time to recover, he could reactivate a transfer that all parties like. In Barcelona, they know that with Flick, it will be difficult for him to gain prominence, and listening to offers is a real option.

Barça match against Valladolid | @FCBarcelona

Athletic Club is determined to look to Barça again to strengthen itself, and it's doing so with Nico Williams's support. The winger wants to surround himself with young talent and believes that Dani Rodríguez is a perfect fit.

The deal can't be closed until January, but it's already on the table. Nico's message is clear: in Bilbao, he'd be an undisputed starter, while at Barça, he barely finds space.