Nico Williams, the Spanish winger, is a highly sought-after player with strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain. Nike is expected to play a significant role in facilitating a potential transfer.
According to Sport, Williams has given his initial consent for a move to FC Barcelona. However, Barcelona must still negotiate with Athletic Club to finalize the transfer. Alternatively, the club could activate Williams’ release clause, set at €58 million.
Paris Saint-Germain has also shown interest in Williams and has already initiated discussions with the player, as reported by The Athletic.
Marca provides an important detail regarding the marketing aspect: Nike is influencing the decision. While Nike is pushing for Williams to move to either Barcelona or PSG, the Spanish daily notes that the brand is leaning more towards PSG.
Marketing Impact
“If Williams chooses PSG, the impact would be even greater because Nike has just lost Mbappé as an emblem of the Parisian club,” Marca explains. While Barcelona will likely continue to see high sales with Lamine Yamal and their existing stars, PSG is searching for a new marquee player.
However, nothing is finalized yet, and Barcelona could still benefit from Nike’s support. “Barcelona is negotiating an improved contract with the sportswear brand, which is expected to be announced in the coming days. The discussions, which began months ago, aim for the club to earn €120 million per season over a ten-year deal,” Marca adds. So, it remains to be seen whether PSG or Barcelona will secure Williams.