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Barcelona has reportedly decided to pursue Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams over the likes of Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford.

The Blaugrana is in the market for a new left winger this season as it looks to take some of the attacking burden off the likes of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

In recent weeks it had appeared as though Williams was a distant third in Barca's list of left-wing targets behind Diaz and Rashford, but it appears as though he has moved right to the top of that list now after Liverpool rejected an approach from Barca for Diaz last week.

Barca wanted to sign Williams last summer but he rejected the Catalan club, explaining earlier this year: “At that moment last summer I made the decision that I considered to be correct and I’m very happy with it.

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The relationship we have with this club is incredible and I don’t think I’ll find this atmosphere anywhere else."

However, it seems as though Williams has had a change of heart, as it is now being reported that the 22-year-old is ready to make the switch to the Nou Camp.

The Spain international has reportedly informed Bayern Munich, which is also interested in him, that he is focused on securing a move to Barcelona.

Williams has a €58 million ($67 million) release clause in his current contract, which Bilbao is demanding to be paid up front, in full.



Nico Williams appears to have emerged as Barcelona's top target

That would pose an issue for virtually any buying club, but Barcelona is exploring its options with regards to potentially getting a deal over the line.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote on X that Barca had decided to activate the option after holding talks, with further conversations planned with Williams' agent

The latest development comes after it was reported last week that Liverpool had made it clear to Barca that Diaz was not for sale.

Barcelona was said by The Athletic to have made contact with Liverpool last Wednesday over the possibility of signing Diaz, but it was met with a swift rejection as the Reds have no desire to let Diaz leave.

That's despite there being little expectation that Diaz will pen an extension to his current contract at Liverpool, which is due to expire in 2027.

Liverpool has reportedly attempted to address Diaz's contract situation but little progress has been made, and rather than sell him this summer, the club would prefer to maximize his performance value over the next two years and allow him to leave for nothing following the 2026-27 season.

While Liverpool does not intend to allow Diaz to leave, the club's resolve could be tested by an offer from Al-Nassr, with the Saudi Pro League club reportedly willing to spend $97 million on him.

An offer of that magnitude could prompt club bosses to sit up and take notice, as that kind of money could allow Liverpool to sign a younger replacement for Diaz, with tentative links with Newcastle's Anthony Gordon having resurfaced of late.


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