Nico Williams can miss the transfer to Barcelona! Bilbao plays his last book, and a hungry colossus comes from behind
Article by Dragoș Petrescu – published on Sunday, June 22, 2025, 01:38 / Updated Sunday, June 22, 2025 01:38
Nico Williams (22 years old) is one of the most “hunted” footballers in the current Mercato period, with Barcelona located in the pole-postion for the transfer of the Spanish. However, the destination of the superstar's Athletic Bilbao could be another, despite the fact that it has reached an agreement with the Catalan group.
The full program of stage #2 from the Club World Cup
After the end of the 2024/2025 season, the main teams that fought for the signature of Nico Williams were Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal. At this moment, however, the “tunnels” came out of the race, while the chances of the Bavarian seemed to have dropped considerably once the footballer stated clearly that he wants to join the champion of Spain.
Moreover, according to the Spanish press, Deco, the sports director of Barcelona, has already met with the player, in Ibiza, and he agreed that the move will be realized, accepting the salary and duration of the contract proposed by Catalans.
All that remained to be fulfilled for the transfer to be formalized was that the two teams (Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao) beating the palm, but the discussions entered “stand-by”.
Bilbao still hopes Williams stay on San Mames, and Bayern makes desperate pressure
The main problem for Barcelona is the termination clause to pay – about 58 million euros, given that the precarious financial situation of the Blaugrana band is well -known.
Also, the club in the Basque Country does everything possible for the most important player to not leave, proposing a new contract, with a higher salary.
Moreover, his parents, refugees from Ghana, seem to have an important word to say. They built a new life in Bilbao, where they feel very good, and the two brothers, Nico and Iñaki, have become local symbols. Like Nico, and Iñaki Williams is still Athletic's player and recently, he told his family's love for the club on San Mames: “It is impossible to love a club more than we love it”.
Nico Williams, evolving for Bilbao against Barcelona in La Liga (season 2024/2025) // photo: Getty Images
On the other hand, Bayern Munich never gave up the Spanish striker. The Bavarian club stands, trying to take advantage of Barcelona's problems and does everything possible to lure Nico Williams on Allianz Arena.
Germany's champion seems really desperate to transfer a band striker as soon as Leroy Sane (galatasaray) and Mathys Tel (permanently transferred by Tottenham after the loan period).
However, Bayern has other variants for that post. The main target is Nico Williams, but the Bavarians are also discussing with Rafael Leao from AC Milan, respectively Bradley Barcola from PSG, and recently, he also entered the race for Jamie Gittens from Rival Dortmund, for which he struggles with Chelsea.
