Nico Williams is right in the middle of a tug-of-war between two European soccer giants. At 22, the Athletic Bilbao forward has become one of the most talked-about names ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. The decision between Bayern Munich and Barcelona has taken on the air of a soap opera, but not because of anything happening on the pitch. Nico’s choice exposes a bigger issue: the growing divide between clubs that actually have resources and those that just promise them.
SkySports reports that Bayern is pushing harder and has raised its salary offer in an attempt to lure Nico. The latest offer includes a 12 million euro salary per season, with 10 million guaranteed and another 2 million in performance-based bonuses. That kind of money can shake up any player’s plans. Bayern wants to move faster than Barcelona, which still intends to pay the 58 million euro release clause before the week ends.
Barcelona still has financial problems
Barcelona is working against the clock, but it’s facing more than just internal urgency. One major obstacle is the uncertainty over whether the club can register new players. Nico wants written guarantees that he’ll be eligible to play as soon as the ink dries on his contract. He still remembers what happened to Dani Olmo last season. The midfielder arrived at the club but couldn’t be registered for the opening matches because of La Liga’s Financial Fair Play limits. He only got on the field because Christensen suffered an injury and had to be removed from the squad list.
Later, in January, Olmo was left out again and only made it back thanks to a special exception granted by Spain’s Higher Sports Council. That whole ordeal became a reference point for players and agents trying to assess whether Barcelona can follow through on its promises.
Inside the locker room, Dani Olmo’s case triggered concern. It also serves as a direct red flag for Nico. He doesn’t want to deal with the same instability. For him to sign with Barcelona, it’s not enough to get a contract offer. He needs to be sure he’ll be cleared to play right away. That’s a reasonable request. At this stage in his career, there’s no room for uncertainty.
Bayern is in a very different position
While all that’s unfolding, Bayern is moving quietly and steadily. The club isn’t offering anything outside of its financial reality. It’s coming in with a clear salary package and a solid plan to welcome the forward. When talks first started, Nico held back from the German side after hearing that Barça had entered the race. The emotional pull of the Catalan club was strong. But now, with Barcelona’s risks more visible, Bayern is back at the table with stronger cards in hand.
Athletic Bilbao, Nico’s home club, is still part of the story, though more in the background. They don’t want to lose their best player, but they know it won’t be easy to keep him. That’s why they’ve been closely watching how Barcelona handles its finances.