Barcelona’s two-pronged strategy to convince Nico Williams as PSG lurk

Barcelona know they are in for a big battle to secure the signing of top target Nico Williams from Athletic Club this summer.

As reported on Monday, clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich are all interested in the 21-year-old speedy winger.

Now, MARCA reports that PSG could also enter the race to sign the Spanish international setting the stage on fire at the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.

Barcelona, for their part, are said to be aware of the lurking threat of PSG. Nico has a €58 million release clause and club president Joan Laporta remarked that they are in a position to sign him.

However, the Blaugrana know that they cannot go toe-to-toe with PSG when it comes to lucrative contracts. As such, they have devised a two-pronged strategy to convince Nico to snub other clubs like Paris.

Barcelona will base their strategy on appealing to him in other aspects that are also important and where the club has an advantage over its competitors.

The club environment

Firstly, Barcelona will try to draw Nico’s focus on the environment in which he will find himself.

It has already been seen with the Spanish national team that his best friend is Lamine Yamal. In fact, they are inseparable. But not only him, he also has an excellent relationship with Pedri and Ferran Torres.

And Barcelona plan to appeal to him with the idea of him being able to share a dressing room with those players at the club.

Regular starter

On a sporting level, Barcelona can ‘guarantee’ Nico Williams that he will be a permanent starter. That left winger position is vacant at the club and it would be his for the taking.

At PSG, the Spaniard will have to compete with two players like Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola.

This is another factor that plays in favour of the Blaugranas. They know that in terms of money they might be unable to compete, but the other factors are in their favour.

Nico, for his part, is said to be leaning towards Barcelona as well. However, the 21-year-old seeks a quick resolution on the matter and does not want it to become a long-drawn saga.