According to a report by Caught Offside, Barcelona are about to get into some major trouble because Premier League side Arsenal are making plans to trigger the release clause of Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
If this was not enough then Liverpool have also been in touch with Williams’ representatives in recent weeks as Arne Slot looks to reinforce the left wing before the next season starts.
Nico Williams has been brilliant for Athletic Bilbao this season plus he has a release clause of just €58 million which is why so many big clubs are showing an interest in the 21-year-old winger. Barcelona have other left-wingers on their wishlist besides Nico Williams but the Catalans just cannot afford to lose him to clubs like Liverpool or Arsenal.
Barcelona need to focus on Nico Williams:
Nico Williams has come through the ranks at Bilbao and so far, he’s played in 122 games for the senior side with 20 goals along with 26 assists against his name.
This season, he has 27 goal contributions in just 37 La Liga with an xA of 7.49 in the league alongside 19 shots on target.
Apart from Nico Williams, Barcelona have been linked with Liverpool’s Luis Diaz but the Spanish side cannot afford to pay €80-85 million for the Colombian international. It’s not like Barcelona have the luxury to pay Williams’ release clause either but €58 million is a much more realistic number for them.
Nico Williams has yet to make up his mind regarding which clubs he wishes to join next season but if Barcelona have the money to make this deal happen then there’s every chance they could beat Liverpool and Arsenal in this transfer race.
Will the winger opt to join the EPL instead of staying in Spain?
For starters, both Liverpool and Arsenal have the finances to easily outbid Barcelona but the reality is that both these sides already have a world-class left-winger in their respective squads.
Liverpool have Diaz while the Gunners have Gabriel Martinelli and we don’t think Nico Williams will be too keen to join a team where is not guaranteed game time next season.
If Liverpool lose Luis Diaz to Barcelona or a Saudi Pro League team then they might have a shot at signing Williams but Arsenal have no plans to get rid of Martinelli so it will be very hard for them to convince the Bilbao winger.
Barcelona, on the other hand, only have Ferran Torres as a left-winger so Nico Williams can very easily come in and find a regular place in Hansi Flick’s first XI next season.
