Nico Williams must emerge as a figure in the transfer rumors as he played for Euro 2024 champions Spain in Germany.
Williams’ impressive tournament was capped off with the opening goal of the final amid another fine performance. The 22-year-old teamed up with Kyle Walker in Berlin, with the two lining up as wide receivers and the left back. The youngster didn’t get much of a change for England in the first half, but he made good use of Walker’s position to score a well-opened goal just after the break.
Williams earned a first place in Luis de la Fuente’s team after a productive season in the Basque Country with Athletic Club, as he scored 19 goals in 31 La Liga appearances.
Interest in the Spaniard was already high before Euro 2024 began, so his performance in Germany this summer would have convinced many that Williams could be their boy to play on the left for the next decade.
Getting his services this summer, however, won’t be easy.
Williams has signed a contract extension with Athletic Club at the end of 2023 – running until 2027 – which includes a release clause worth €58m (£49m).
Many would consider this a bargain given the nature of the current market and Williams’ potential, but neither team is paying attention yet. Salaries may be a strong point for some lovers.
As Athletic Club offers little resources in the transfer market, it pays its players well. The suspect is 22 years old, according to Capology, earns a basic salary of around £8.8m (£169,000-a-week). If Williams were to leave Athletic this summer, he would likely demand a salary in excess of his current contract.
There should be a long list of clubs who will activate Williams’ release clause and there is interest from the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have both been strongly linked, with Arsenal eyeing the 22-year-old as an option but not a priority.
Chelsea are unwilling to spend £49m to bring Williams to Stamford Bridge.
As it stands, Barcelona are strong favorites to sign the Spaniard despite well-documented financial problems. Williams is Barca’s top attacking target this summer and La Liga president Javier Tebas recently confirmed the Catalans are close to financing the move.
Williams has reportedly agreed terms with the Blaugrana, who are hoping to rebuild Spain’s power with Williams and 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal. It was Yamal who blocked Williams’ goal in the Euro 2024 final and the two are believed to be good friends off the pitch.
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