Barcelona cannot sign priority transfer target unless they sell 27-year-old forward | OneFootball

By this point, it is well-established that FC Barcelona are intent on signing Athletic Club winger Nico Williams this summer.

The 21-year-old Spanish international has emerged as the priority target for the Blaugrana following his exploits for club and country as Barça seek a top left-winger.

Nico has a release clause worth €58 million in his current contract with Athletic Club, who are in no mood to offer any discounts to Barcelona or any other suitors.

Barcelona must sell Raphinha before they can sign Nico

But, Barcelona’s financial situation means that they must make a big sale before they can consider signing Nico Williams, reports Cadena SER (h/t AS), with Raphinha being seen as the player likely to be sacrificed.

The 27-year-old Brazilian international is attracting significant interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and England this summer.

Barça must sell before signing. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As such, Barça see Raphinha as a player who can fetch a sizable transfer fee while the club would be getting rid of a player with high wages who would likely end up warming the benches next season.

Without Raphinha’s sale, a move for Nico Williams is seen as difficult to pull off for Barcelona at this point.

Other clubs also keen

Nico is seen as a ‘dream target’ by Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who wants to negotiate a fee with Athletic Club, but the Basque side are firm that the only way he can be signed is by activating the release clause.

While that is a concern for Barça, the fact that Premier League bigwigs Chelsea are also interested and are prepared to splash the cash on the Spaniard’s signing also adds to the worries.

Moreover, teams like Arsenal and Liverpool have also been credited with interest in Nico. The player’s desire to play for Barcelona could be an advantage but unless there are exits, a transfer will be difficult.