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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barcelona want Williams</li><li>Deco confirms approach has been made</li><li>Would add Williams to wing options with Yamal</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'We've always had the idea for Nico' - Deco confirms Barcelona are chasing Williams deal after agreeing personal terms with Athletic Club winger

<p>Barcelona have been linked with a move for the Spanish left-winger for a few years and now appear set to land their man. Williams had been expected to depart Athletic last season after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/spain-player-ratings-vs-england-euro-2024-nico-williams-mikel-oyarzabal/blt7813b5aa3697bc7e" target="_blank">a strong European Championships</a>, but opted to remain at his boyhood club for a further campaign. His departure is now inevitable and Barcelona look front runners to bring him to the Camp Nou, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nico-williams-arsenal-barcelona-given-up-signing-athletic-links-explained-lamine-yamal/blt446b0505e7f7e9af" target="_blank">d</a><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nico-williams-arsenal-barcelona-given-up-signing-athletic-links-explained-lamine-yamal/blt446b0505e7f7e9af" target="_blank">espite interest from Arsenal</a> and Bayern Munich.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Asked whether signing Yamal's good friend Williams could create a 'club of friends', <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/6/22/24453551/this-isnt-a-club-of-friends-deco-talks-barcelonas-pursuit-of-nico-williams" target="_blank">Deco told <em>La Vanguardia</em></a>: "We’ve always had the idea for Nico. The fact that they’re friends is fine, but we’re not going to brand him as friends.
</p><p>"This isn’t a club of friends; we come here to work and try to win. Then, if they get along, even better. The most important thing is that they’re on the same page and have a clear idea of <wbr><wbr>what we’re looking for. If that’s the case, he’ll be everyone’s friend. If we sign a winger, there won’t be any more signings at this level."
</p>

WHAT DECO SAID

<p>With Williams, Barcelona are set to secure their second signing of the transfer window. The club will likely trigger the winger's €58 million (£50m/$67m) release clause to bring him to the club. This follows the signing of Espanyol's Joan Garcia, who completed a €24m (£20.5m/$27.6m) move earlier this month. Williams' deal is likely to be less controversial than Garcia's with the goalkeeper <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/new-barcelona-goalkeeper-joan-garcia-forced-change-phone-numbers-threats-enraged-espanyol-supporters/blt7871d4b2bddea4f6" target="_blank">receiving numerous threats since switching to Espanyol's major rivals</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Williams could be set to join a Barcelona squad <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/raphinha-no10-robert-lewandowski-bench-how-barcelona-line-up-lamine-yamal-spain-sidekick-nico-williams-completes-transfer-athletic-club/blt6b9d6b22d220a195" target="_blank">that boasts a glut of attacking talent</a>. The trouble for Hansi Flick is how best to fit all his stars into his starting line-up. Raphinha had been operating on the left-wing, but could move centrally to facilitate the arrival of Williams who could form part of a front three alongside Robert Lewandowski and Yamal.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR WILLIAMS?

'We've always had the idea for Nico' - Deco confirms Barcelona are chasing Williams deal after agreeing personal terms with Athletic Club winger | Goal.com

Barcelona&apos;s sporting director Deco has confirmed the club have been chasing the signature of Athletic Club&apos;s Nico Williams.

&apos;We&apos;ve always had the idea for Nico&apos; - Deco confirms Barcelona are chasing Williams deal after agreeing personal terms with Athletic Club winger