Closer to Barça? Athletic has already chosen Nico Williams' replacement

At San Mamés, winds of change are blowing ahead of next summer. Beyond appreciating the gesture of staying this season to play in the Europa League, the Athletic Club board understands the difficulty of retaining Nico Williams for much longer. The winger is not having a good season under Ernesto Valverde's orders and his move to a big club in Europe (FC Barcelona, the most likely option) is inevitable.

Therefore, the 'lions' are looking for 'low-cost' alternatives to the player from Pamplona. Recent reports indicate the interest of the Bilbao team in Borja Sainz, a 23-year-old forward who is having a very good season with Norwich in the Championship (second division) in England. The player from Leioa has scored 16 goals in 26 matches (2,209 minutes), along with a couple of assists with Johannes Hoff's team.

Although the team is having a poor season (currently in 12th place, 19 points behind the leader, Leeds), Sainz has stood out as one of the best left wingers in the tournament. The Spanish player is under contract until 2026 and could join Athletic for an amount close to 5 million euros, a minimal percentage of what the Basques will receive for Nico's transfer (approximately 60 'kilos').

Barça will wait until summer to resume contacts with Nico Williams

Meanwhile, the Barça board maintains a tense calm regarding its options to sign the younger Williams in 2025. The winger's snub last summer did not sit well with Joan Laporta, which is why the '11' from Bilbao has ceased to be the primary alternative to strengthen the left side of the attack. Names like Jamal Musiala and Rafael Leao have shown great interest in wearing the blue and claret jersey next season, although they are aware of the complex financial situation of the Catalan club.

However, Nico is by no means ruled out for the 2025/26 season. The fans and the team lean towards his signing, understanding that the partnership with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo could be decisive for the 21-year-old forward to make the leap to stardom. In France and England, 'heavyweights' like Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the future of the winger whose release clause is more than affordable for their robust finances.