Barcelona are looking to tie up a deal for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams this week, with the Basque winger set to decide his future in the coming weeks.
After meeting with his agent last week, Sporting Director Deco is set to meet with his agent Felix Tainta again this week, for what they hope will be their last with him. The Blaugrana are hoping to get the green light this week from the player, and have the deal to all intents and purposes wrappd up too, as per MD. That said, they still need to sort out the club finances in order to be able to register him.
Barcelona are optimistic that the final 'OK' of Nico Williams will arrive this week. Deco will have a new meeting with his camp, and it's believed to be the final one to get the signing done. @sport
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) July 23, 2024
The Blaugrana have made no secret of their ambitions, but will try to calm the waters this week a little, as they fear the pressure on him, both from Barcelona and Bilbao, could work against them. Los Leones are doing their best to keep Williams, and captain Oscar de Marcos even touched on the issue in a press conference on Tuesday morning.
“For Nico it is a delicate situation because there is a lot of outside noise. He is in an ideal place in a dressing room that he loves with his friends and his brother. I think he has that feeling of belonging. He is the one who has to take the last word and we trust that he will continue with us.”
🔵🔴 Barcelona are increasingly confident to get final green light from Nico Williams to contract terms.
Club now confident about having convinced Nico about the project, with La Liga approval for Finacial Fair Play as key step.
More contacts to follow this week. pic.twitter.com/sUVIjpSXY5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 22, 2024
“What worries me most is that he makes the decision. If he makes it on his own he will be right and he will be respected. The only thing I want is for him to make the decision freely, because there is a lot of pressure on him.”
🗣️ De Marcos, sobre el Athletic en cuatro competiciones.
"¿Por qué no intentar algo bonito este año?" #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/nWGqs6jTG3
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) July 23, 2024
“There is a current that it seems that when Barca want you, it is logical that you go to Barca and that if not you are making a mistake. You have to keep in mind that not all that glitters is gold, you have to know where we are.”
“I have no idea what he’s thinking. I’m sure his head will be spinning a thousand times. My opinion is that it is best for him to stay at Athletic. With the coach he has, he has gone to the national team and has been one of the best in the Euros.”
Athletic President Jon Uriarte criticised the press for the pressure being applied to Williams, and behind the scenes, there are also reports that behind the scenes, Los Leones are indignant with the treatment of their star player. Manager Ernesto Valverde has also expressed confidently that he will be in training on the 12th of August, when his holidays end.
Most recently, Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly contacted Williams about a deal, while Arsenal and Chelsea also have well-documented interest in him. The 22-year-old looks as if he will have his pick of options this summer, but an undoubtedly difficult choice on his hands.
