Apart from Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool, Barcelona have also been keeping tabs on Bilbao winger Nico Williams, and it looks like the Spanish side is planning to go to extreme lengths to try and land the winger.
According to the Spanish publication Sport [h/t Daily Mail], Barcelona are planning to offload not one but two first-team players to try and fund Williams’ move to the Camp Nou. Nico Williams has been one of Spain’s best players in this EURO, and with a release clause of just €55 million, it’s hardly a surprise that so many big clubs wish to sign the 21-year-old.
Williams is very much aware of all the interest, but like every other player, he has also claimed that he is currently not thinking about the next season.
He said last week: “Everything that comes from outside is good, it means I’m doing my job well. Every kid dreams of being noticed by big clubs.
“I’m focused on doing well at the European Championship and whatever comes after that I’ll find out because these days I’m totally disconnected.”
Which clubs are Barcelona planning to sell to try and sign Nico Williams?
Barcelona are amidst a major financial crisis, which is why to pay €55 million for Nico Williams, the club is planning to sell Raphinha as well as Ronald Araujo.
These two players have the potential to fetch around €120-150 million, and with this money, Barca should be able to sign Nico Williams and also a defensive midfielder.
Barcelona have Lamine Yamal, which is why they do not need Raphinha, and Hansi Flick feels Jules Kounde and Christensen can be relied upon as the main central defensive pairing for the next season.
Both Araujo and Raphinha have several suitors in the transfer market, so this is the ideal time for Barcelona to cash in on the duo and use the money to sign young talents like Nico Williams.
Will the winger choose to join Barcelona or will he be tempted to play for one of the EPL clubs?
Nico Williams might have a small release clause, but he has been demanding a major salary hike, and we think Barcelona might struggle to pay €300,000 – 350,000 per week to the 21-year-old.
The Spain international would love to join the Catalans, but in the end, he could choose Arsenal or Liverpool because the Premier League sides won’t mind paying him premium wages. The Bilbao star won’t be too tempted to join the Gunners because Arteta already has Gabriel Martinelli in his squad, but with Liverpool looking to get rid of Diaz, Williams can be the ideal long-term replacement.
We are not sure whether Barcelona can afford to meet Williams’ wage demands, but surely Deco will think long and hard before paying so much money to the 21-year-old. If Nico Williams does not lower his demands, then by the end of the transfer window, Barcelona will have to settle for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz.
