Barcelona has definitively activated the operation to sign Nico Williams. The Athletic Club winger, an international with the Spanish national team and one of the revelations of the season, is currently the club's top priority to strengthen its attack. Both the sporting management and coach Hansi Flick agree that he is the profile the team needs.
Negotiations are advanced and the player himself has expressed his interest in making the move to Camp Nou. According to sources from the Catalan club, Nico has directly conveyed to Deco his desire to play for Barça, which has led to a significant shift in transfer planning. The operation, which could be around €60 million (about $65 million), is well on track and could be finalized within days.
Ruled out by the "Nico effect"
However, Nico Williams's arrival has had a direct consequence: Barça has completely ruled out the possibility of signing Luis Díaz. The Colombian forward from Liverpool had previously been considered a top-level option to strengthen the left wing. However, the context has changed with Nico's definitive breakthrough.
The player's desire to be part of the project, his fit with the style, and the support he has received from the locker room have outweighed any other variable. Unlike Luis Díaz, whose operation would have exceeded €70 million (about $76 million), Nico's is more viable both in terms of cost and the footballer's willingness.
Final offensive
One of the most valued aspects by Barça in this negotiation has been the player's attitude. Nico has not only given the green light to the transfer, but he has also been proactive in expressing his interest and alignment with the project. In a market where competitiveness and figures have so much influence, that kind of predisposition has added value.
Meanwhile, Hansi Flick has already approved his arrival from a sporting perspective. He believes that he will bring speed, imbalance, and depth to a squad that needs options on the wing. His youth and international experience make him a strategic reinforcement, intended not only for the immediate present but also for the medium term.