Much of the news about Athletic Club -wing player Nico Williams has linked him to Barcelona in recent days, after a meeting between his agent Felix Tinta and director of Football Deco. Yet the Blaugrana remain the least strong of the available options for Williams.
The Basque wing player is probably happy to reject other options and to accept a lower salary if Barcelona is willing to give him the green light on a deal. It was the step that was missing at Williams last summer when Barcelona pursued him, but now Luis Diaz is walking ahead in the pecking order. Williams would probably have the difficult task to convince athletics to accept a payment plan instead of full payment of his release clause of € 58 million if he wants to complete a move to Barcelona.
Arsenal is the side that has been most consistent with Williams in recent months, with Mikel Arteta having a movement for the 22-year-old. New sports director Andrea Berta also held a meeting with the Williams agent in March to discuss a possible relocation. Sport now reports that the Gunners have already made clear what he would earn in London.
Williams has not agreed the deal, but there is an offer of € 9 million a year on the table of Arsenal. This is probably more than he would earn elsewhere.
Bayern Munich are the third European power that loves Williams. There is a lot of talk in the German press about his potential salary requirements that are outside the Bavarian giants, but they have spoken with Williams about a possible movement and have received a positive response from his camp. It seems that all three clubs and the player weigh their options before they make a decisive move.