BREAKING NEWS: Nico Williams has turned his back on Barcelona and is set to join a rival club 🥹. However, Laporta has already identified a replacement

Nico Williams is aware that FC Barcelona’s interest in signing him has diminished. Despite this, the Athletic Bilbao forward remains determined to leave his current club next summer, either for Barça or another competitive team.

His agent, Félix Tainta, has noticed the shift in Barça’s stance, as the enthusiasm the club once showed for Williams has faded.

Two key factors have contributed to this change. First, the impressive performances of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha at Barça, both of whom play in Williams’s preferred position, have reduced the club’s need for him. Second, Williams’s own performance at Athletic has been underwhelming.

In 15 LaLiga matches, he has managed only one goal and three assists, a stark contrast to Yamal’s five goals and nine assists and Raphinha’s 11 goals and six assists.

Beyond on-field performance, economic considerations have also played a role. The transfer market offers more affordable and potentially more effective alternatives. One such option is Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, who recently impressed against Real Madrid.

Lookman provides more goals and assists than Williams while being less costly in terms of both transfer fees and wages. Additionally, the potential arrival of Dani Olmo further reduces Barça’s need for Williams.

Realizing that a move to Barça now seems unlikely, Williams has instructed his agent to explore other opportunities with ambitious clubs.

His refusal to renew his contract with Athletic Bilbao has kept his release clause at €60 million, making him a viable target for several top clubs. Among those reportedly interested is Real Madrid, which received the offer with surprise but remains cautious due to its already crowded forward lineup.

At Barça, Williams’s response has caught the club off guard. While they hadn’t anticipated such a move, they understand his need to explore other possibilities if a transfer to Camp Nou no longer seems realistic.

As the summer transfer window approaches, Williams’s future remains uncertain, but it is clear he is determined to secure a move to a top club that matches his ambitions.