Barcelona are already planning to resume their pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams in the summer of 2025, a report has revealed.
Williams was one of the most sought-after talents in Europe during the summer transfer window and recently revealed he turned down “a lot of offers” in exchange for spending at least one more season with his boyhood club.
According to SPORT Barcelona’s plan was always to wait and sign Williams in 2025, when they hope to be able to pay his €60m release clause, but his dazzling form at Euro 2024 attracted interest from Arsenal and Chelsea and forced them to act sooner than anticipated.
Williams turned down the chance to move to Camp Nou this summer but Barcelona are said to still be preparing to pursue the 22-year-old next year.
As long as Williams does not renew his contract and increases his release clause, he will be at the top of Barcelona’s list of targets for the next 12 months and club officials are working behind the scenes to strengthen their relationship with the Spanish star and work their way to the front of the queue.
It was recently reported that Arsenal are keen to rekindle their interest in Williams next summer. The Gunners signed Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea, but they may need a new winger once that contract ends.
As for Chelsea, their final-day acquisition of Jadon Sancho, along with the purchases of Pedro Neto and Joao Felix, would suggest that a winger is no longer a priority in the transfer market, although it is difficult to predict the Blues’ business dealings these days.
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