Athletic Club winger, Nico Williams, has become one of the most sought-after names in the summer transfer market, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona all expressing strong interest in signing the 22-year-old Spanish international.
Recent reports had heavily linked Nico Williams with a move to Barcelona, especially after a high-profile meeting between his agent, Felix Tainta, and Barça’s Director of Football, Deco.
Despite Williams reportedly being willing to accept a lower salary to facilitate a move to the Catalan club, Barcelona’s interest is believed to be the weakest among the suitors at this stage.
The club would also need to negotiate a payment plan with Athletic Bilbao rather than paying his full €58 million release clause upfront, a move that could further complicate matters.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that Liverpool’s Luis Díaz is now said to be ahead of Williams on Barcelona’s shortlist, potentially limiting his chances of becoming a priority signing.
Meanwhile, Arsenal appear to be the front-runners. The Premier League side has been consistently linked with Williams, with manager Mikel Arteta reportedly eager to bolster his attacking options.
New Sporting Director Andrea Berta is said to have met with Tainta back in March, and Sport reports that the Gunners have already put a lucrative €9 million per annum contract offer on the table, significantly higher than what Williams is likely to earn elsewhere.
Bayern Munich are also firmly in the mix. Despite concerns in the German media over Williams’ wage demands, Bayern have held direct talks with his representatives and received a positive response.
However, no official offer has been made yet, as the Bundesliga giants continue to assess the financial viability of a deal.
With all three clubs and the player still weighing their options, a decision is expected in the coming weeks as the summer transfer window picks up momentum.
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