Barcelona want deal for Euro 2024 star done this summer, Erling Haaland set to be the target in 2025

Follow us on Google Discover

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Joan Laporta has instructed the Barcelona hierarchy to do all they can to facilitate the signing of Nico Williams, amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is understood to be Barcelona’s top target this summer and the Spaniard, who has excelled at the 2024 European Championships, is keen on a move to the Camp Nou.

Despite interest from the Premier League, led by Arsenal and Liverpool, sources have told HITC that the 21-year-old winger is keeping interest from England at an arms length as he wants a move to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona are understood to want a deal done for Williams this summer as they prepare to focus their attempts on a Manchester City star next summer.

Barcelona want Williams deal done and then focus attempts on Man City star

Williams has long been a Barca target and this summer new head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed to Laporta his admiration for the Athletic Bilbao star.

The Spanish side, if they complete the signing of the Bilbao winger this summer, would then turn their attention to City forward Erling Haaland next summer, once the construction of the newly built Nou Camp is complete

Williams has a release clause of €58million (£50 million) which Bilbao won’t negotiate on and to land him Barca need to do work on outgoings. Ideally, the Spanish giants would like to sell Raphinha and Ferran Torres, and both players are aware of that fact.

Williams doesn’t want Premier League move

Despite sources confirming to HITC that Arsenal and Liverpool have informed Williams that they would pay the release clause in his Bilbao contract, the Spaniard has no interest in a move to the Premier League.

HITC has been told that there is confidence growing within the Spanish club that they will indeed land the rapid forward and they will be able to pair him with his good friend Lamine Yamal next season.

Sources have also confirmed to HITC that Williams’s Spanish team-mates Yamal and Pedri have made it known to the club that they want the Bilbao star at the club next season.