Barcelona plan to buy new forward in 2025, identify Nico Williams and Portugal superstar as potential options - Reports
Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing a forward in 2025. They see Nico Williams and Rafael Leao as the ideal options for Hansi Flick's squad and are ready to go all out for them.
As per a report by famed journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona want to bring in a left-winger in the summer of 2025. They do not see Ansu Fati as a part of the club's future following another injury to the Spaniard.
Williams was a target last summer as well, but La Blaugrana failed to lure him away from Athletic Bilbao. They were ready to activate the 22-year-old's release clause but could not agree terms and he remained at the Basque club.
Williams recently told La Revuelta TV show (via ESPN) that Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde were pushing for him to move to Camp Nou.
"It was difficult. On top of that, the 'b*stards' of [Barca] Lamine [Yamal] and [Alejandro] Balde and others didn't help," he said. "They would say to me 'brother come now, come now.' It's difficult to evade yourself from that. I still get messages despite not being linked. It's a bit of everything. Many people say 'go to Barca' and others say 'we don't need you anymore.'"
Leao is now the latest target for the Spanish giants as they look to bolster the attack. They see the Portuguese star as a player who can come in and help get more goals.
While AC Milan are reportedly interested in selling the winger, Barcelona will face massive competition from other elite European clubs for his signature.
Nico Williams' agents discuss his rejection of Barcelona last summer
Nico Williams was in the spotlight during the summer as Barcelona attempeted to sign him following his exploits at the European Championships, which Spain won. However, the 22-year-old decided to spend at least another season at his boyhood club Athletic Bilbao.
Williams' agents, Felix Tainta and Juan Oyaga, recently discussed the winger's decision to remain at Estadio de San Mames. They told AS (via barcablaugranes.com):
“The lad has had an incredible year and has confirmed it, for me, by being the best player in the European Championships. Obviously we have had a lot of movement, a lot of travelling and being happy. It is compressed into a very short time, and at the end of the transfer window we are a bit stressed, but we like it. The boy has decided to stay, he wanted to stay for another year and work.”
Apart from Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG were also linked with Williams in the summer.