Real Madrid has made many changes to its squad since Xabi Alonso arrived on the bench... but it has managed to make even more than expected. With last season over and referring back to May 21, Marca surprised everyone by announcing interest in Nico Williams, Athletic's forward. It did so by stating that Madrid "is seriously considering" signing him, and in huge letters: "Nico Bombshell".
Nico Williams was strongly linked last summer with FC Barcelona, but they couldn't pay his €58 million release clause and he got tired of them. One year later, after offering himself along the way to Real Madrid, now he may have reactivated his possible move to Camp Nou. This news has reached the offices at Chamartín, as they see how a target could strengthen the biggest rival in a key attacking position.
Nico Williams: €58M release clause
At this moment, and as Real Madrid knows firsthand, Nico Williams intends to leave Bilbao. At 22 years old, he believes he needs to leave the team that has given him everything in order to keep growing at a European giant. A few weeks ago, his camp personally offered him to Florentino Pérez, and now they've done the same with Barcelona knowing that Madrid had directly ruled him out.
Although staying in Spain is his priority, it seems difficult for Barça to sign Nico Williams. Figures of €10 million net per season as salary are being discussed, something that would disrupt the Barça locker room. In any case, we already know how Laporta manages to pull some ace out of his sleeve and magically gets everything done.
But Nico Williams is no longer interested in nonsense and, besides Barça, there are other top European clubs interested. It seems that Bayern has the advantage, but Arsenal or Chelsea shouldn't be ruled out. The one that's completely out is Real Madrid, which, after rejecting his offer, now sees how he wants to play for the great rival.
Real Madrid didn't really want him
Certainly, despite Marca's famous front page, Real Madrid quickly rejected the offer from the Navarrese. Florentino considered that, with Vinícius, Rodrygo, Güler, Brahim, or even Mbappé on the wings, it was a totally unnecessary signing. Even more so now with Mastantuono, who's better and younger.
What Nico Williams's camp tried to do was offer him to the biggest of all. Seeing how he was ruled out, now they're going for the alternatives...