Nico Williams won't wear Barça's jersey. The one who was Joan Laporta's main target a few months ago has decided to turn the page. He'll turn it in a way no one expected a few months ago. His next destination will still be in Spain, but in a place that wasn't considered until recently. We're talking about Real Madrid, which is very interested in signing the Spanish international.
This season he hasn't been able to show his true level, but no one forgets the great Euro Cup Nico Williams had last summer. Moreover, his 58 million euro release clause makes him quite a bargain. Florentino Pérez wants him to reinforce Real Madrid's attack for the next season. In fact, he is willing to pay a price even higher than what his contract stipulates. This option is very appealing to the forward, who would be delighted to play at Santiago Bernabéu.
In an unexpected turn of events, instead of wearing Barça's jersey, now everything seems to point to Nico Williams's future being at Real Madrid. The first contacts have already been made and the agreement is total: Both parties want to join forces next season. Nico already knows that Florentino Pérez is willing to pay the release clause or even a higher price to satisfy Athletic Club.
Joan Laporta knows he's late and, even if he acts, given everything that has happened with Olmo's registration, he has lost a lot of power in the market. Nico Williams didn't trust his word last summer and trusts it even less now. He sees the Real Madrid option very favorably. However, he knows he would likely have a less important role than he could have at FC Barcelona.
Joan Laporta Can't Avoid Nico Williams's Betrayal: Agreement Closed
At Real Madrid they're preparing to carry out this operation. They expect Rodrygo to leave next summer to facilitate Nico Williams's arrival. Negotiations are advancing and they're discussing a contract for the next five seasons. This would include a higher salary than he has in Bilbao and a 1-billion-euro clause.
What seemed to be Barça's big transfer in 2024 now seems likely to end up wearing the jersey of the great rival, Real Madrid. Although he might try, Joan Laporta knows everything is very advanced and being able to intervene is almost impossible. It's time to focus on other possible arrivals, if Fair Play and LaLiga allow it.