Barcelona have reportedly agreed a deal in principle for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams, with personal terms between the two parties being put in place.
The 21-year-old was in impressive form for Athletic during the 2023-24 campaign, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and registering 19 assists in the process.
Williams has also starred for Spain at Euro 2024, scoring once and providing one assist to help Luis de la Fuente's side secure their spot in the final of the competition.
There is a release clause of around €55m (£47m) in his current Athletic deal, and a number of clubs, including Chelsea and Liverpool, are being credited with an interest in his services.
Barcelona have long been regarded as the favourites, though, and according to Sport, the Catalan outfit met with Williams' agent Felix Tainta last week to discuss personal terms.
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Williams 'agrees' personal terms with Barcelona
The report claims that the Catalan giants have an agreement in place with Williams over personal terms, while the length of the proposed contract has also been agreed.
The two clubs must now settle on a free, but it is likely that Athletic will want the attacker's full release clause to be paid in order for him to leave this summer.
Williams will allegedly 'not wait forever for Barca', with a number of other clubs interested, but there is a belief that a deal will be completed at the start of August.
The forward has turned out for Athletic on 122 occasions in all competitions, scoring 20 goals and contributing 26 assists, and he will be bidding to help Spain beat England in Sunday's Euro 2024 final.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that Barcelona can afford to sign Williams despite their financial issues.
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Laporta has talked-up a Barcelona move for Williams
"Economically speaking, we could commit to the signing of Nico Williams," he recently told Catalunya Radio.
"Nico's a player I like, I like him a lot. We are working with [coach Hansi] Flick on possible signings. Now we have to leave [sporting director] Deco to close the operations we are working on.
"Shortly we will be able to announce some good news with regard to the financial [issues] and we will be back within La Liga's Fair Play limits. And that will allow further good news in terms of [signings]."
Barcelona will have to sell some first-team players this summer to balance the books, though, and Raphinha is currently being linked with a departure.
Newcastle United are said to be keen on the Brazilian, while there have also been suggestions that Ronald Araujo could leave in a big-money deal before the end of the transfer window.
Matt Law
