Barcelona winger target expected to stay at current club, no chance of late move – Romano

It has been several weeks since Barcelona’s interest in Nico Williams faded, and as things stand, the situation has not changed at all. 

Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano recently reported that there is still no movement between the Athletic Bilbao forward and either Barcelona or Arsenal.

Hem nations that people close to Nico Williams and Athletic Bilbao believe he will stay put. In fact, there are ongoing discussions about a new contract for the player, despite signing his last extension in December 2023. 

It is said that Bilbao want him to remain with the team to continue playing alongside his brother, Inaki Williams, and to maintain the close-knit family atmosphere at the club. 

The goal is also to try and push for a place in the Europa League final at San Mames, which would be a significant achievement for the team. For now, all signs point towards Nico staying at Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona have moved on

Nico Williams will not leave Athletic Club. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

It has been reported that despite Athletic Bilbao’s position, several big European clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain have expressed interest in signing the talented forward. 

However, the prevailing belief is that he will stay with Athletic Bilbao for at least this summer, as the club hopes to retain his services for their ambitious goals.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, after realising that signing Nico would be unrealistic this summer, have shifted their focus to other potential targets. 

The club has explored several options, including Luis Diaz, Kingsley Coman, and Rafael Leao. However, among these, Federico Chiesa from Juventus appears to be the most viable option. 

Chiesa could arrive at Barcelona in a low-cost deal, making him an attractive target for the club as they look to strengthen their squad without breaking the bank.

In conclusion, while many clubs are interested in Nico, the current expectation is that he will stay at Athletic Bilbao, at least for now. Meanwhile, Barcelona continue to search for affordable options to bolster their squad.