Latest news with #NicoWilliams
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nico Williams Wants Barcelona Move But $75M Clause Creates a Problem
Nico Williams Wants Barcelona Move But $75M Clause Creates a Problem originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Many reliable reports suggest that Nico Williams' move to FC Barcelona for next season is getting closer. The Spanish winger is eager to join the reigning La Liga champions. Advertisement The 22-year-old winger is desired by many top European clubs, including Bayern Munich, but Williams's preferred destination this summer is a move to FC Barcelona. He was linked to a move to Barcelona last summer but decided to stay another season at Athletic Bilbao. This summer is different, as the player reportedly told Barcelona his strong desire to join the club. RAC 1 reports that FC Barcelona will try and sign Nico Williams this summer. Mundo Deportivo reports that FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta approved the club to approach Athletic Bilbao in signing their star winger, but the club may face a financial obstacle that could hinder the signing. Release Clause Problem Nico Williams has a release clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract that is worth around $75 million. A club like Bayern Munich is willing to pay that clause, but with the player's eagerness to join Barcelona, the German club will have to wait. Advertisement The onus is now on Barcelona's hands now to pay the release clause and sign Williams this summer, but the issue is how to pay it. El Partidazo de COPE reports that the release clause of $75 million will have to be paid fully and not in installments. Barcelona has reportedly paid in installments for recent signings. COPE also reports that Laporta is interested in other players for that position. The club is looking to build a stronger attack for next season. FC Barcelona stars tease Nico Williams' arrival Three days ago, Sport reported that Williams met with FC Barcelona to talk about a potential move to the club. After the news came out, Lamine Yamal posted an image of himself and Williams on his Instagram story. Many took it as a hint that the two will play together next season at FC Barcelona. Yamal wasn't the only Barcelona star to hint at Williams' arrival at the club. Advertisement Today, 433 posted a report from Florian Plettenberg suggesting Hansi Flick's desire to sign Nico Williams. FC Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde liked the post, and fans started to get more excited. Perhaps the move is progressing well. Other options for FC Barcelona FC Barcelona has been monitoring other players for the left-wing position. Players like Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford are top targets for Barcelona this summer. Diaz seems the preferred option for Laporta and FC Barcelona sporting director Deco. A deal to sign Diaz is complicated, which is why FC Barcelona is looking towards signing Williams instead, according to Fabrizio Romano. Advertisement The summer transfer window officially opened today, which will allow top clubs to begin bidding for players. With Williams reportedly choosing Barcelona as his preferred destination, Barcelona will now analyze whether it can spend $75 million now to bring in the exciting Spanish talent. Related: Soccer Legend Reveals Lionel Messi's Decision on Playing In 2026 FIFA World Cup Related: FIFA Club World Cup Set to Implement Three Unique 'Americanized' Rules This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona key defender's renewal to be finalised after the summer window
Barcelona key defender's renewal to be finalised after the summer window Earlier today, reports emerged claiming that FC Barcelona had reached a verbal agreement with key defender Jules Kounde over a new contract. The 26-year-old right-back's current deal expires in 2027. Given his performances and importance in the team, the Blaugrana are keen on rewarding him with an extension – more so with some clubs in the Premier League showing interest in him. Talks on track, but no immediate renewal However, according to the latest update from Mundo Deportivo, Kounde's contract renewal will not be finalised and formalised this summer. Advertisement The report states that talks over an extension for the French international are on track and both parties are aligned towards reaching an agreement. However, the renewal will have to wait until after the summer transfer window as Barcelona currently have other priorities. New deal after the summer window. (Photo by) Indeed, the La Liga champions have more pressing matters on their hands such as the registration of new signing Joan Garcia and the activation of key target Nico Williams' €62 million release clause and his subsequent registration. For those things to happen, Barça need to free up salary space through the departure of players not in manager Hansi Flick's plans. Advertisement As such, Kounde's renewal is not seen as a priority task for the moment. However, given that both he and Barcelona are committed to continuing together, the intention is to finalise the renewal once the transfer window closes. Having joined from Sevilla in 2022, Kounde has grown into a permanent fixture in the Barcelona starting lineup. A renewal, whenever it happens, will be more than well-deserved for the Frenchman.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona pair Hansi Flick & Deco meet to call key transfer target
Two leading figures at La Liga champions Barcelona came together this week, to sit down for a call with a headline member of the club's summer transfer wishlist. That's according to El Chiringuito TV, who highlight Nico Williams as the player in question. Advertisement Nico's potential Barca switch has of course dominated the headlines across all of Spain over the course of the day to date. This comes after widespread confirmation was forthcoming that the 22-year-old has reached an agreement with the Blaugrana on the terms of a contract for next season. And likely to have proven a central factor in as much, as alluded to above, was a phone call on the part of both Hansi Flick, and Deco. As revealed by El Chiringuito TV, after convening on the island of Ibiza this week: 'Deco and Flick called Nico Williams. 'It was at a meeting to plan the season in which they also talked about more arrivals and departures.' Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona will not negotiate with Athletic Club for Nico Williams
Barcelona will not negotiate with Athletic Club for Nico Williams The brass at La Liga champions Barcelona will not hold any form of negotiations with their counterparts at Athletic Club, amid efforts to sign Nico Williams. That's according to RAC1, who have on Thursday provided an insight into the situation. Advertisement Significant developments towards Nico at last taking his talents to Catalunya's capital this summer have of course been confirmed over the course of the day to date. This comes after it was widely reported that the 22-year-old has agreed on the terms of a contract with Barcelona. From here, the understandable assumption on the part of most was that it would now be up to Deco and co. to find a similar agreement with La Liga rivals Athletic Club. As alluded to above, however, in fact, the Blaugrana do not intend to hold club-to-club talks with the Basque outfit at all. As per a report from RAC1, as much comes with Barca aware that Athletic will not negotiate any sum lower than Nico's release clause. Advertisement The Catalans, in turn, intend to simply activate as much, leaving the board at San Mamés with no say in the matter. Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona star drops Nico Williams hint on social media
A leading member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona has on Thursday made clear his excitement with the prospect of Nico Williams arriving at the club. The player in question? Alejandro Balde. Advertisement The name of wide-man Nico has of course dominated the headlines in Catalunya's capital across the day to date. This comes after widespread confirmation was forthcoming that the 22-year-old has agreed on the personal terms of a contract with Hansi Flick's Barcelona. It is now up to the Camp Nou brass to activate Nico's Athletic Club release clause. And as alluded to above, one current member of Hansi Flick's squad who appears to be very much happy that his fellow countryman's proposed Blaugrana switch is moving in the right direction is Alejandro Balde. After stumbling across transfer insider Fabrizio Romano's Instagram post, confirming Barca's agreement with Nico, left-back Balde responded with a simple 'like': Conor Laird – GSFN
