Will FC Barcelona be able to secure the signing of Nico Williams before the end of the summer transfer window? At the moment, this option is not clear. What is clear is that, as long as the left winger from Pamplona remains tight-lipped about his future, any scenario is possible. The Blaugrana team is clinging to the idea that there is still time to convince the Navarrese to join the Barça squad. Below we review the latest news on the signing of Nico Williams.
The possible deadlines for knowing the final decision
In Barcelona they have adopted an optimistic approach. Although the youngest of the Williams brothers has already joined the Basque team's training sessions in Lezama and sent the message that many have interpreted as a clear 'wink' to his continuity at Athletic Club, the Barcelona team is not giving up and continues trying to sign him. Even, according to various sources, given the importance of this operation, Joan Laporta himself has taken the reins of the negotiations to ensure the arrival of the striker.
Although the transfer market in Spain will remain open until August 30, the latest information suggests that Athletic and Barça want to close the issue as soon as possible. However, at the moment the complexity of the negotiations keeps all options open.
The sensations of Athletic and Barça
The antagonistic role of Athletic Club in the negotiations for the Pamplona native. Despite the wishes of the Barça president, it is important to bear in mind that this negotiation will not be easy. The main point against the Catalan club is the role of the 'Lions', who have already been trying for several days to settle the issue of Nico's continuity. Athletic plays its cards and will do everything possible to prevent the forward's departure. The Basque team has placed Nico at the centre of an important campaign with the aim of highlighting his leading role in the institution, especially now that Athletic is competing in Europe again after several seasons without doing so and with the final at San Mamés.
Despite all this, the Catalan entity is clear that it must not only try to convince Nico from an economic point of view, an aspect that does not seem to worry him too much, but it must also present him with an extremely attractive sporting project. In this sense, the situation seems to be on the right track, since, in addition to Lamine Yamal, his great footballing partner, he is aware that the Barça squad has numerous top-level elements with whom he has a good connection. All of them, under the leadership of Hansi Flick, could lead the Barça team to success.
These could be determining factors that keep the operation in play, along with the player's silence. It is likely that if he were not interested in the proposal, he would have already come out to deny any rumour, as would his entourage. Even the latter, as mentioned by the journalist Gerard Romero, still do not rule out his arrival at the Barcelona team. A 'file' that seems to be on track to be resolved sooner rather than later, possibly before August 30. The unknown is whether it will be resolved in favour of Barça or Athletic. We will soon find out.
Figures from "Operation Nico Williams"
Given this, it seems that there are several factors that give Athletic Club some confidence that they will be able to ensure the continuity of Nico Williams for at least another year. This situation has fuelled speculation about the option that, if the Pamplona native remains one more year in the team, the latter may offer him a contract renewal agreement with the clear objective of modifying the amount of his termination clause. Currently, this clause is €58M (€62 if the four million of the CPI are included), an amount that, considering the striker's cachet, is very attractive.
This condition is one of the most attractive to FC Barcelona. In a transfer market where prices are high, getting a striker of Nico's quality for €62 million would be a great deal. However, the Barcelona club must wait for the situation surrounding the 1/1 rule and LaLiga's fair play to become clearer in order to be able to specify its offensive, which would imply a significant financial outlay.
The Catalans face the challenge of building the financial muscle necessary to carry out a purchase valued at 62 million euros. At the same time, they must find the means to register him in La Liga, a process that, according to various sources, could involve assuming a net emolument for the player between 7.5 and 11 million euros per season.