Clubs Across Europe, Spanish Teammates, Top Agents... Everyone Is Fighting for Nico Williams

 

The Breakout Star

One of the most coveted transfer targets of the summer window is causing a ruckus within Spain's Euro 2024 camp as team-mates attempt to lure Athletic star Nico Williams

It's not just clubs who will go to war over Nico Williams this summer - but players, too.

That's after several of the Athletic Bilbao winger's Spain comrades have campaigned for the breakout star to join their cause this summer. Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea have each been heavily linked with the winger, but Barcelona are said to be prioritising their own move for his services.

And it's clear Blaugrana midfielder Pedri is on the case in his recruitment drive after gushing over Williams' ability at Euro 2024. The 21-year-old - who has a release clause in his contract worth £46.5million - dazzled with one goal and one assist in Spain's recent 4-1 drubbing of Georgia, leading to swooning praise from a potential future club colleague.

"Nico Williams would be a spectacular signing for us at Barcelona, it’d be incredible," Pedri told Mundo Deportivo. "He’s a player who is already showing what he’s capable of. I hope he can join us!"

When pressed about the depth of those conversations attempting to lure Williams to the Camp Nou, he replied: "We don’t talk about it much. It’s a decision that he and Barca have to make. There are a lot of things that have to happen."

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But it's not only La Liga-based team-mates that have adopted the agent role in their attempts to tempt the winger. Chelsea's Marc Cucurella - who has played an integral role for Spain at Euro 2024 - detailed his own flirtations in trying to convince Williams to join him in west London.

“I’ve been telling Nico Williams to come to Chelsea, but everything depends on him," the full-back told Catalan daily Sport. "He’s young and has a lot of experience. I think he will be a great player.”

Barcelona have Lamine Yamal and Pedri to sway Williams, which means that Marc Cucurella is outnumbered. However, that hasn't stopped the Chelsea defender in his efforts to convince the Athletic Club winger, as he revealed to Sport. “He would be a great signing (for Barcelona), but it all depends on what he wants.

Many would argue that's already the case based on Williams' performances for Athletic last term, not to mention his contributions in Germany so far this summer. The Pamplona-born prospect - whose older brother is Athletic legend, Inaki Williams - scored eight goals and recorded 19 assists in 37 appearances for Los Leones last season.

Former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is sure to not be keen on giving up his club's most valuable asset to such a familiar foe. However, it's evident from his team-mates' own comments that the Camp Nou won't be his only temptation this summer.