A Barcelona star is playing a crucial role in persuading Athletic Club’s Nico Williams to join the Camp Nou this summer.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the 22-year-old winger, who has a release clause of €58 million, is being strongly persuaded to join Barcelona this summer by a close friend and fellow teammate.
That teammate is Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Barcelona starlet. It is understood that Yamal, who has built a strong camaraderie with Williams, will utilize their good relationship to entice Williams to Barcelona.
Nico Williams becomes a high-profile target as a natural left-sided forward, which is a priority position for Barcelona sporting director Deco.
Williams and Yamal have a strong synergy established through playing together on Spain’s senior team, where they have a knack for effective play with one another.
Yamal has played an influential role in Hansi Flick’s project in Spain, and believes Williams would be welcomed with open arms to Barcelona, as Williams would add to Barcelona’s threat with Yamal foraging down the right side.
This looks to be the most difficult part of this recruitment campaign, as Barcelona’s financial difficulties clearly conflict here.
Barcelona has a fair-play problem above €100 million at the moment, so transferring Williams through his release clause could be an extreme struggle.
Regardless of any potential interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich, Yamal’s impact could be incredibly telling.
With his relationship with Williams and the personal connections with teammates such as Alejandro Balde, Yamal’s influence may also help in making the move more palatable.
The Barcelona board is still divided on Williams’ contract demands, but Yamal’s influence reinforces their efforts.
While the timing of all of this around negotiations is important, Yamal’s off-field role is important as he is establishing himself not only as a football player, but as an important part in shaping the future squad of players for Barcelona.
In the coming weeks, we will see if all of Yamal’s influence can convince Williams to sign with the club.
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