‘This is the Spain of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal’ led one radio programme in Spain after their victory over Croatia, and certainly the two wingers give La Roja a verticality that has not been seen in the national side for some time. With significant interest in the former from the Premier League and Barcelona, Lamine Yamal has again asked him to come to Barcelona.
Earlier in the tournament Lamine Yamal admitted he would be happy to have Williams alongside him at club level, with the Blaugrana reportedly offering a deal worth up to €65m for the Athletic Club star recently. Speaking to Sport, it was no surprise that the topic of Williams’ future came up again.
“Yes, I get along very well with Balde and in my first call-up I met Nico and afterward we are very good friends.”
Lamine Yamal on not going to the #Paris2024 Olympics:
"I have had a fairly large load of minutes for my age. I have decided this because the first thing that was coming up was the Euros and I wanted to focus 100% on this tournament. I wasn't thinking about the next one." pic.twitter.com/VBjTYC3NnB
— Football España (@footballespana_) June 27, 2024
Williams has referred to himself as the 16-year-old’s older brother in the national team.
“Nothing, I let him run with it a bit, so that he’s feeling good, to give him confidence, but he knows what the reality is too (smiles widely).”
“We get along very well, it is also noticeable on the pitch, that we are very close, that we are very good friends, it is the most important thing to have the connection on the field of play.”
And it was pointed out to him that if the two were to play at club level, he cannot play for Athletic, so Williams would have to head to Catalonia. He was then directly asked if he would like Williams to sign for the Blaugrana.
“Yes, let’s hope Nico has the chance to come to Barca.”
Arsenal have asked about Barcelona's Mikayil Faye. @GraemeBailey
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 27, 2024
It changes the actual situation very little, as Barcelona will need to come up with the money to activate Williams’ €58m release clause before they can think about playing together at club level. The Blaugrana will face strong competition from the Premier League too, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all interested, and all with bigger budgets to make an attractive contract offer to Williams himself.
