Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Intense Battle for Nico Williams Amid €65 Million Release Clause

BARCELONA, Spain – June 13, 2025 – The summer transfer window has erupted into a fierce contest between Barcelona and Bayern Munich for the signature of Spanish winger Nico Williams, with both European giants making significant moves to secure the Athletic Club star.

Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, held an extensive meeting today with Williams’ agent, Félix Tainta, in the Catalan capital, reigniting the club’s interest in the 22-year-old after previously ruling out a move months earlier. The discussions, which lasted over an hour and a half, centered on the player’s willingness to join Barcelona, with sources close to the negotiations indicating Williams favors a switch to LaLiga’s reigning champions, provided the club can resolve registration and financial constraints.

Williams, who enjoyed a standout season with Athletic Club—scoring five goals and providing five assists in La Liga, and earning a place in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season—has a release clause set between €60 million and €65 million. Barcelona, facing financial restrictions and the high cost of alternative targets like Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, have turned their attention back to Williams as a more attainable option.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have emerged as Barcelona’s main rivals, having already met Williams’ release clause and initiated talks with his representatives. The Bundesliga champions, seeking a replacement for Leroy Sané, who recently departed for Galatasaray, have received positive feedback from Williams’ camp. The winger is reportedly open to a move to Germany, with salary negotiations centering on a potential €20 million annual package.

Despite the mounting interest, Athletic Club are not giving up without a fight. The Basque side is working on a contract extension that would significantly raise Williams’ salary and his release clause, aiming to keep their star beyond 2027.

Williams’ close relationships with several Barcelona players and his preference for staying in LaLiga could prove decisive, but Bayern’s financial muscle and clear sporting project present a formidable challenge. Arsenal and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation but have yet to match the financial terms proposed by Bayern or the player’s salary expectations.

As negotiations intensify, the coming days are expected to be pivotal in determining whether Williams will don the Blaugrana or the Bavarian red next season.