In the coming days, it should be known where Nico Williams will play his football next season. Barcelona worked hard to convince him to leave his childhood club, where he plays alongside his brother. They have already agreed the terms of his prospective contract, with the only element missing is the approval of the 22-year-old.
Barcelona, especially the president Joan Laporta and the sports director Deco, have made a lot of efforts to convince Williams, but it is possible that he rejects them to continue at Athletic for at least one more season – it is worth nothing that Los Leones. will play in the Europa League, and this is additional food.
It is widely known that Dani Olmo is the 'Plan B' option if Barcelona fail to sign Williams – club chiefs are looking to sign the 26-year-old anyway, although it would be much easier if he was missing his international partner first. . However, it is not controversial to say that this approach would be the wrong one.
It is true that Barcelona would need a new left winger if Williams were missing, and Olmo can play well there. However, Hansi Flick already has Raphinha, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres as existing options here, so there would be no real need for a non-specialist – especially if Raphinha can continue the form he has shown of late season
Also, Olmo is not needed at the position of number 10. Pedri, Ilkay Gundogan and Fermin Lopez are all first team options to play there, and if needed, Pablo Torre can be kept as well. Spending €60m on a player who is not a need would be pov business business, especially in their current financial status.
The obvious choice would be for Barcelona to divert Williams funds into a new defensive midfielder – it is the position that is most needed in the whole team. Even if the entire €60 million+ money is not spent on a player (Mikel Merino would cost €20-25 million), the excess money can be saved for next year's business, or they can also be used if a market opportunity arises.
The dream for Barcelona would be Martin Zubimendi, and if there is a chance that he can be convinced to leave Real Sociedade (unlikely), they should pursue this in case Williams rejects him. It is much, much more necessary than Olmo would be, and this is clear to see.
At last, Barcelona will hope not to miss Williams, but it is a very real possibility. Regardless of the obvious needs of the team, it seems more likely that Olmo would be the main choice to be signed – which would be a massive mistake.
