Barcelona’s transfer window has kicked into gear, and once again, Nico Williams finds himself at the center of attention in Catalonia. Following the official capture of goalkeeper Joan García from local rivals Espanyol, the Blaugrana have swiftly turned their focus to adding firepower out wide. Williams, the explosive Athletic Club winger, has long been admired by Barcelona, and the latest developments indicate that personal terms are now settled between the two parties.
However, while the 22-year-old’s desire to join the La Liga giants is no secret, the move still hangs in the balance due to Barcelona’s precarious financial situation. Signing him is just one part of the equation—fitting him within the club’s restrictive wage structure presents a very different challenge.
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Release Clause No Issue, Registration Another Story
Williams’ €58 million release clause is not viewed as a major obstacle for Barcelona. The Catalan outfit remains confident that they can activate that clause within the coming weeks, well before their preseason kicks off on July 13. As per El Chiringuito, the agreed salary for Williams would be around €6-7 million net annually, excluding performance-based bonuses.
Yet, the issue of registration looms large. With La Liga’s strict financial controls firmly in place, Barcelona need to generate significant revenue or cut costs elsewhere before they can officially add Williams to their squad list. President Javier Tebas has publicly reiterated that offloading high earners is the only route to making Williams eligible for competition.
Athletic Club Taking a Wait-and-See Approach
Athletic Club, on their part, are neither obstructing nor facilitating the move. They know Barcelona’s struggles from last summer, when the Catalans couldn’t get a deal done under similar constraints. This time, Bilbao’s patience may pay off again. Should the transfer fail, Athletic have reportedly prepared an improved renewal offer for Williams, including a bump in salary and an increased buyout clause. With two years remaining on his current contract, they remain well-positioned either way.
Outgoings Essential to Make Room
Barcelona’s roadmap to finalizing this marquee signing hinges on departures. Several players are on the potential chopping block:
- Ansu Fati: A permanent move to AS Monaco is being negotiated but isn’t yet finalized. His exit alone won’t free up enough funds to register Williams.
- Fermín López: Valued around €60 million, Fermín is attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Al-Ahli. Though committed to staying, Barcelona might still listen to significant offers.
- Marc-André ter Stegen: With Joan García’s arrival, Barcelona could push for a surprising sale. Despite ter Stegen’s intention to fight for his place, the club seems determined to change his mind.
- Ronald Araújo: Barcelona’s leadership is torn over selling the Uruguayan, but the €65 million release clause could tempt them if buyers appear.
- Andreas Christensen: The Dane is another high earner Barcelona would prefer to part ways with, despite his expressed desire to stay.
- Oriol Romeu: Discussions to terminate his contract are ongoing, aiming to lighten the wage bill.
- Pau Víctor and Pablo Torre: Both forwards have attracted interest from various La Liga sides, with Torre possibly leaving with a buyback clause in place.
Optimism at Barcelona but Time Running Out
Despite the significant financial gymnastics required, optimism within Barcelona remains high. Director of Football Deco is spearheading efforts to close the necessary exits and secure Williams’ registration. The lure of playing alongside talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, under Hansi Flick’s leadership, makes Barcelona an attractive destination for Williams, and his determination to move may help facilitate progress.
Still, the Blaugrana need to act fast. Preseason is approaching, and with other European heavyweights like Bayern Munich lurking in the background, any stalling could jeopardize the move entirely. Arsenal and Chelsea, both heavily linked earlier, appear to have shifted their gaze elsewhere, leaving Barcelona with a clear shot—if they can sort their books in time.
Williams has made his choice. Now, it’s Barcelona’s turn to prove they can deliver.
Read More: Joan Garcia Officially Joins Barcelona in €25 Million Transfer, Threatening Ter Stegen’s Future
FAQs
What is Nico Williams’ release clause at Athletic Club?
Nico Williams has a release clause of €58 million, which Barcelona are prepared to activate in the coming weeks.
Have Barcelona and Nico Williams agreed on personal terms?
Yes, personal terms are fully agreed, with Williams set to earn €6-7 million net per year, plus bonuses.
Why hasn’t the transfer been completed yet?
Although the transfer fee isn’t an issue, Barcelona must first offload players or reduce salaries to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play rules before registering Williams.
Which players might Barcelona sell to register Williams?
Barcelona could sell or release Ansu Fati, Fermín López, Marc-André ter Stegen, Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Oriol Romeu, Pau Víctor, or Pablo Torre to create financial space.
5. Are other clubs still interested in Nico Williams?
While Arsenal and Chelsea have cooled their interest, Bayern Munich remain attentive, but Williams’ priority is joining Barcelona.