Nico Williams's future is back in FC Barcelona's spotlight. After his signing seemed ruled out following last summer's failed negotiations and his potential move to the Premier League was almost a given, the situation has changed dramatically.
Barça has resumed contact with the player's camp, thus reactivating the possibility of the winger wearing the blaugrana jersey next season.
Nico Williams Remains Appealing to Barça
Despite his performance this season not being as dazzling as in previous years, within Barça they still see him as a player with enormous potential. His speed, dribbling ability, and versatility in attack make him a piece that could fit into Flick's project.
Moreover, one of the most valued aspects at the club is the player's desire to wear the blaugrana jersey. The Spanish international has expressed his affinity with Barça on several occasions. His excellent relationship with Lamine Yamal could be a key factor for the operation to succeed.
One of the main reasons Barça has reactivated its interest in Nico is the release clause in his contract. Athletic Club is not a team that facilitates the departure of its players through negotiations. Therefore, the only way to sign him is to pay the 60 million euros stipulated in his contract.
Given that other targets in the market have a higher price, Barça now considers Nico a more economically viable option. Additionally, the management believes that, in a more offensive system like the Catalan team's, the winger could enhance his performance and make a difference.
Concerns about His Current Performance
Although the possibility of signing him is more open than ever, there are also certain reservations within the club about the advisability of the operation. In the current season, Nico Williams has not reached his best version and his lack of goals remains one of the big questions.
Some sectors of the management believe there could be safer options in the market, although the major drawback is that those names would involve a considerably higher investment.
In any case, the final decision will depend on the sales Barça can make in the summer market. Then there is also the opinion of Hansi Flick, who will have a key role in the squad planning.
The unexpected turn in Nico Williams's situation has put his potential transfer back on track at Camp Nou Offices.
Despite the doubts about his consistency and goal-scoring ability, the combination of his quality, price, and willingness to join Barça makes the operation more likely than ever to materialize.
The summer will be decisive in determining whether Barça definitively bets on the Athletic winger or prefers to allocate its investment to another profile. What is clear is that Nico Williams is back on the blaugrana radar and his future could be solved in a matter of weeks.