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TRANSFERS
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Barcelona confirm Nico Williams and Luis Diaz want to join
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 22 Jun 2025 11:25 BST
- 5 min read
News
Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed that Nico Williams and Luis Diaz want to join the club.
The Blaugrana plan to sign a top class winger this summer, with Nico Williams expected to be that man.
However, Barca have also been in talks for Liverpool star Diaz - and Deco has confirmed that both want to join the club.
Current ETV
Nico Williams
M (L)
Athletic
Nico Williams
M (L)
Athletic
ETV Range
€64.1M - €78.4M
“Both Nico and other players have shown a desire to come. If Nico’s circumstances arise, then we are going to try," Deco told La Vanguardia.
“To sign a player, you have to follow the right steps. First you talk to his agent, then you talk about contractual situations and then you see if his club requires the clause or is open to negotiating. We have met with his agent to find out what the player wants and from there we will see if it is possible. The most important thing is that players like Nico or Luis Díaz and other names are players who want to come. They are good people, who are hungry and want to continue succeeding.”
Barcelona must sell before buying Nico Williams
The Spanish media believe that Nico is the player Barcelona have chosen to sign on the wing.
Athletic Bilbao are demanding that Barcelona pay the €58 million clause in Williams' contract in one installment - rather than over multiple installments as requested by the Blaugrana.
However, there is a bigger financial hurdle that Barcelona must overcome before they can seal the deal.
Barcelona must free up salary space in order to register Williams in their squad, a common problem in recent years in La Liga.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen and Ansu Fati are alll for sale in order to raise the salary funds.
ESPN even report that Fermin Lopez is a player to watch, with Bayern Munich fans of the midfielder.
Personal terms have already been agreed between Williams and Barcelona, who has rejected a move to Arsenal in order to join the Blaugrana.
Arsenal and Barcelona were in a two-way tussle to sign Williams last summer but the player eventually stayed at Athletic Bilbao.
Barca had been particularly desperate to sign the Athletic winger last summer but were unable to complete a deal for the same financial reasons.
It has long since been claimed that Williams would ideally rather join Barca if that move is still on the table.
Williams at Euro 2024
Williams was one of the stars of Euro 2024 with electric performances as Spain won the trophy.
He scored in the 2-1 final win over England and was one of the players of the tournament.
His best performance was arguably against Italy where he tore apart the right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo and set up the winner - an own goal by Riccardo Calafiori.
He also scored a fantastic goal in the win over Georgia in the last-16.
The 22-year-old Williams is considered one of the most exciting young wingers in all of Europe.
Blessed with lightning pace and dribbling skills, he has a promising future in the game.
After making his debut for Athletic in 2021, Williams has scored 31 goals in 164 games.
He has also scored five goals in 26 games for Spain, and travelled to the 2022 World Cup.
This season he scored 11 goals in 43 games.
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