Goodbye Barcelona… Nico Williams decides to leave Athletic Bilbao and join this surprise team

Nico Williams is once again in the news regarding his future. Last summer, he unexpectedly opted to remain with Athletic Bilbao despite receiving several appealing offers, with Barcelona being the closest to securing his transfer after an initial agreement. Ultimately, he decided to stay under Ernesto Valverde. However, according to Spanish newspaper El Nacional, just two months ago, he started to feel significant regret over his choice, believing he made a mistake due to the inconsistent results at San Mamés and the exciting prospects offered by Hansi Flick’s project.

Barcelona is currently viewed as a strong contender for all titles, but it seems that Joan Laporta and Deco have lost interest in signing Nico Williams. Reports indicate that he was cautioned that such opportunities come once in a lifetime, leading him to realize he missed the chance to wear the Barcelona jersey.

With Rafinha’s impressive performances, the club has decided against pursuing Williams, despite his reasonable price tag of 58 million euros. Nevertheless, several clubs are still interested in acquiring him, and Nico has made it clear that he is in the final months of his time at Athletic Bilbao.

In 2025, he intends to depart and seek a new challenge with a more ambitious team, aiming to compete for titles, play in the Champions League, and earn a higher salary. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, has emerged as a potential destination. The club may need to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is set to become a free agent and has been linked to both Paris Saint-Germain and the Saudi Professional League.

Williams is intrigued by the prospect of joining Anfield and potentially stepping into Salah’s role, although his primary goal remains playing for Barcelona. However, he has come to recognize that Laporta and Deco are no longer pursuing him.