Xavi pushing Barcelona to beat Liverpool and Chelsea to €50 million-rated youngster

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit to secure Athletic Club’s forward Nico Williams, who is also on the radar of Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool, Soccernet.football reports.

As per TEAMtalk, Xavi is pulling strings behind the scenes, urging Barcelona to swoop in for Nico Williams during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The 21-year-old sensation boasts a jaw-dropping release clause of €50 million, firmly embedded in his contract with Athletic Club. But it is not just Barcelona eyeing this Spanish gem; Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Liverpool are also vying for his signature.

Hailing from Pamplona, Nico had the option to represent Ghana, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Inaki Williams. However, he has pledged his allegiance to Spain, making his international debut in September 2022.

Williams has been nothing short of spectacular in La Liga, earning plaudits as one of the league’s most promising talents since breaking into the first team at Athletic Club.

His remarkable rise has not gone unnoticed, with a stellar 2023/24 season under his belt, tallying an impressive 23 goal contributions in 34 appearances across all competitions, bagging seven goals and providing 16 assists.

With Raphinha’s future at Barcelona hanging in the balance amid the club’s ongoing financial woes, Xavi sees Williams as the ideal long-term replacement for the Brazilian winger.

However, Barcelona’s financial constraints might throw a spanner in the works, opening the door for Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Liverpool to make their moves. Despite Chelsea’s surplus of wide attackers, Williams could prove invaluable, especially if Raheem Sterling departs this summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is facing uncertainty over the futures of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, making Nico Williams an enticing prospect for the Merseyside club.

While Chelsea and Liverpool have the financial muscle to meet Nico Williams’s hefty price tag, all eyes are on Barcelona, waiting to see if they can scrape together the necessary funds to fend off the Premier League giants and secure his signature.