The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona have kickstarted talks with the representatives of the club’s leading summer transfer target.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Nico Williams as the player in question.
The name of wide-man Williams has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital for several weeks now.
This comes after word was forthcoming that the Spanish international had made his way firmly onto the radar of the Blaugrana.
The 21-year-old is fresh off a stellar season with Athletic Club, which saw him notch eight goals and a hefty 17 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
Such production has piqued the attentions of a whole host of clubs across Spain and Europe alike, with the aforementioned Barcelona understood to be chief among them.
As per the aforementioned Sport, Williams has been identified as an absolute ‘priority’ signing on the part of Deco and co, who consider the youngster ‘the chosen one’ to join Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in a talent-packed front three.
Contacts, as a result, have already been initiated with Williams’ entourage, with a view to a summer deal.
Barca, it is claimed, would even be willing to pay over the odds, to push a transfer over the line.
Williams’ contract contains a release clause, understood to come in the region of €50-60 million.
Aware that the club’s financial situation would make activating as much this summer hugely difficult, Sport in turn suggest that the Blaugrana could offer to fork over more than the sum outlined in the attacker’s Athletic deal, in return for a more long-term payment structure.
Conor Laird | GSFN
