Barcelona considering ‘surprise’ names as alternatives for €58 million priority target

Even though it is starting to appear as if Nico Williams will continue at Athletic Club, FC Barcelona are still refusing to give up on their pursuit of the Spanish international.

However, at the same time, they are also starting to look for alternatives in case they are unable to land their main target, who is bound by a €58 million release clause.

Names like Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz have emerged as potential backup targets while Juventus’ Federico Chiesa has been offered to the club.

‘Surprises’ on the cards?

However, according to Santi Ovalle on Cadena SER, apart from the players mentioned in the media, Barcelona are also looking at some ‘surprise’ names as possible alternatives to Nico Williams in the market.

Nico Williams unlikely to join Barcelona. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

As things stand, Nico’s arrival looks like a very distant possibility, with Athletic Club handing him the No. 10 shirt for the new season and naming him in the squad for their La Liga opener against Getafe tomorrow.

As such, Barça are contemplating other options with the club’s technical secretariat indicating that there are some ‘surprise’ names on the agenda that have not yet been revealed to the media.

However, those within the club acknowledge that it would be favourable for them to sell a player – preferably someone with high wages, before bringing in a new left winger as they are not in a position to register players due to the limited salary margin.

There are still two weeks left before the transfer window slams shut and only time will tell how things evolve from here.

But Barcelona seem to have contingencies ready in place if they are unable to sign Nico Williams.