Barcelona 'hatch new plan' to sign Nico Williams ahead of Arsenal & Chelsea | OneFootball

Barcelona are already planning to reignite their pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams in the summer of 2025, a report has revealed.

Williams was one of the most-wanted talents in Europe during the summer transfer window and he recently revealed he knocked back "many offers" in favour of spending at least one more season with his boyhood side.

According to SPORT, Barcelona's plan was always to wait and sign Williams in 2025, when they expect to be able to afford his £49m release clause, but his dazzling form at Euro 2024 attracted interest from Arsenal and Chelsea and forced them to act ahead of schedule.

Williams declined the chance to move to Camp Nou this summer but Barcelona are still said to be preparing their pursuit of the 22-year-old next year.

As long as Williams does not renew his contract and raise his release clause, he will be at the top of Barcelona's target list for the next 12 months and club officials are working behind the scenes to strengthen their relationship with the Spain star and force their way to the front of the queue.

Arsenal were recently reported to be keen on reigniting their interest in Williams next summer. The Gunners signed Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea but may find themselves in need of a new winger once that deal comes to an end.

As for Chelsea, their deadline day acquisition of Jadon Sancho, coupled with the purchases of Pedro Neto and Joao Felix, would suggest a winger is no longer a priority in the transfer market, although it is hard to predict the Blues' business dealings these days.