Los Blancos see Athletic Club winger as a potential answer to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal
In the ever-competitive chess match that is the Spanish transfer market, Real Madrid may be preparing a clever countermove to one of Barcelona’s rising stars. According to Marca, Nico Williams has emerged as a surprise target for Los Blancos, with the Athletic Club winger firmly on the radar after Barça cooled their interest in the 22-year-old. Madrid are now reportedly considering triggering his €58 million release clause, a figure set when Williams renewed his contract in Bilbao last summer.
The timing is telling—and so is the intent. As Lamine Yamal continues to light up the Camp Nou with his fearless performances, Real Madrid may be plotting a response of their own by turning to one of La Liga’s most explosive wide players. Williams’ speed, dribbling, and ability to unpick defences have made him one of Spain’s most coveted talents, and now he might be on the verge of his biggest move yet.
A quiet Madrid move as Barcelona back away
Barcelona’s interest in Nico Williams is nothing new. The Catalans were seriously considering a move for the winger last summer, and his name remained on their shortlist throughout the season. But this week, club president Joan Laporta confirmed a shift in strategy. Speaking to TV3, Laporta stated:
“He was one of the candidates last summer. We were evaluating [Dani] Olmo and Nico. We have a good profile of this player, who is an excellent player, but I think at this moment we are evaluating other options.”
It was a surprisingly transparent admission and one that sent a clear message: Barcelona have moved on.
For Real Madrid, that cooling of interest has presented a window of opportunity. In a market where every move is calculated and every rivalry carries weight, snapping up a player once coveted by Barça is a double win—strengthening your own squad while denying your fiercest rival. And with Williams available for a fixed fee, the path is clearer than most high-profile La Liga transfers.
A long-term project or a Galactico in waiting?
For all their historical association with superstar signings, Real Madrid’s recent transfer strategy has been built on youth and long-term development. The arrivals of Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni reflect a club building its next generation with care and patience.
Nico Williams would fit that mould. At 22, he’s already a regular for both Athletic Club and the Spanish national team, with his profile growing rapidly following a strong season in Bilbao. His ability to operate on the left wing—cutting in with pace and precision—makes him a natural complement to the attacking firepower Madrid already possess. He also offers something different: a raw, direct style that has echoes of early Gareth Bale in his Madrid days.
And crucially, unlike many big-money targets, Williams is La Liga-proven. His development in Bilbao has been methodical, under the guidance of a system that values loyalty and tactical discipline. That foundation could make the transition to Madrid’s high-pressure environment smoother than it would be for a less seasoned starlet from abroad.
Arsenal lurking in the background
Of course, Real Madrid aren’t the only club circling. Arsenal have long been admirers of Nico Williams and remain in the market for a dynamic wide forward to ease the load on Bukayo Saka and provide competition for Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners have the financial muscle to match Madrid’s offer, and with Premier League football’s global allure, they pose a genuine threat in this transfer race.
That said, the pull of Real Madrid remains unique. For Spanish players, it’s still the pinnacle—the white shirt, the Bernabéu, the Champions League nights. If the choice comes down to emotional connection and sporting ambition within Spain, Madrid have the edge. But Arsenal, with their growing stature under Mikel Arteta, shouldn’t be counted out, especially if they move quickly.
What happens next?
As Madrid prepare for their final La Liga match of the 2024-25 season, a home fixture against Real Sociedad, all eyes will be on Carlo Ancelotti’s farewell. The Italian manager will say goodbye after a glittering tenure in the Spanish capital, leaving behind a squad brimming with talent and promise.
The new coach—whether it’s Xabi Alonso, Raúl, or another name entirely—will inherit a group that is only missing a few pieces. One of those might just be on the left wing. With Vinícius now playing more centrally at times and Rodrygo shifting roles frequently, the need for a specialist wide player who can stretch defences and beat his man 1v1 has never been greater.
That’s where Nico Williams comes in.
If Madrid decide to move, they can do so with certainty. The €58m release clause removes the need for drawn-out negotiations with Athletic Club, whose policy of promoting homegrown talent and strict contractual adherence makes such deals rare but straightforward when terms are met.
A player ready for the next step
For Williams himself, the moment may have arrived. He’s spent his entire senior career at San Mamés, maturing from a precocious talent into a complete winger. His decision to stay in Bilbao last summer, despite significant interest, was seen as a nod to loyalty and personal growth. But now, with Euro 2024 on the horizon and his star continuing to rise, the pull of a bigger stage may be irresistible.
He wouldn’t be the first to make the leap from Athletic Club to stardom elsewhere—Kepa Arrizabalaga, Aymeric Laporte, and Ander Herrera all departed to test themselves at the elite level. Williams, with his pace, technical flair, and growing confidence, might be the most exciting of them all.
Madrid next Yamal response?
Framing the move as a direct response to Lamine Yamal might be premature, but comparisons are inevitable. Yamal, still only 17, has become a beacon of Barcelona’s youth revolution. His flair and fearlessness represent the future of the club—and, some might argue, of Spanish football.
If Madrid land Williams, they won’t just be signing a top winger. They’ll be planting a flag in the ground, reminding their rivals that La Liga’s future isn’t theirs to dominate without resistance. Nico Williams isn’t just a target—he could be a statement.
And as Madrid look to enter a new era post-Ancelotti, it’s one that might begin with a signature from San Mamés.
