Spain's rising star, Nico Williams, has reportedly expressed his preference for a move to Barcelona over Chelsea. This comes after the Premier League club approached the 21-year-old standout performer of Athletic Bilbao.
Williams was a key player for Athletic Bilbao in the last La Liga season, contributing five goals and 11 assists. His impressive form continued into Euro 2024 where he showcased his skills with Spain's national team, La Roja. As they prepare for their quarter-final tie against Germany on Friday, Williams' performances have not gone unnoticed.
Several clubs have shown interest in acquiring the winger ahead of the summer transfer window. His exceptional performance in Euro 2024 matches has only heightened this interest among top-tier clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona.
Preferred target for Mikel Arteta
Earlier reports this month suggested that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had identified Williams as a 'preferred target' to bolster his attacking line-up. However, it seems that Barcelona is currently leading the race to sign him.
The release clause in William’s contract with Athletic Bilbao stands at €55 million (£46.5m), which makes him an attractive prospect for many clubs looking to strengthen their squads without breaking the bank.
Chelsea looking to spearhead
According to Spanish newspapers, Chelsea made an approach through an intermediary but were informed of William’s preference towards joining Barcelona instead. The report suggests that while negotiations are ongoing, patience may be key due to Barcelona's current financial situation which requires them selling players before bringing new ones onboard. Chelsea appears ready to meet these demands by indicating willingness not only pay William’s release clause but also offer him a signing-on fee between €15m (£12.7m) and €20m (£16.9m).
When asked about his future last week during an interview, Williams remained tight-lipped. However, his fellow Spain and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal expressed his eagerness to see Williams join him at Camp Nou.
Spain winger, Nico Williams, said:
‘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.’
Barcelona winger, Lamine Yamal, said:
‘We get along very well, and you can see that on the pitch too, that we are very close, that we are very good friends, and that is the most important thing to have the connection on the pitch,’
‘I wish Nico could come to Barca.’
As the summer transfer window approaches, all eyes are on Nico Williams. His preference for Barcelona over Chelsea adds an interesting twist to the transfer saga. With his impressive performances both in La Liga and Euro 2024, it's clear that whichever club manages to secure his signature will be gaining a valuable asset.
