Barcelona are working on signing Nico Williams from Athletic Club – this is the unequivocal message from the Catalan capital. To do this, they must activate his buyout clause of 58 million euros, pay the taxes, and perhaps the most difficult: find a way to register him.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has made it clear that a sale is necessary for Williams to be registered, and Athletic Club has no intention of negotiating more favourable terms due to the poor relationship between the clubs. Nevertheless, MD reports that Barcelona are optimistic about getting the deal in place.
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Which players can Barcelona look at selling?
Ansu Fati appears to be a sure departure, although a deal with AS Monaco is yet to be finalized. Still, the sale and savings on his salary will not be enough to register Williams, and the club will have to find more sales, which they themselves have admitted.
Fermin López
Fermin López has been linked with several clubs, including Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Al-Ahli. Barcelona are open to a sale around €60 million, but according to Marca, López wants to stay at the club.
Marc-André ter Stegen
The 33-year-old goalkeeper is scheduled to start the season as second choice behind Joan Garcia in a year in which he will have to play to secure his place as Germany’s first goalkeeper in the World Cup next summer. MD reports that Ter Stegen wants to stay, while Barcelona want to sell him. He has three years left on his contract and does not see himself as a reserve – he is confident of being able to fight his way to the starting spot. Nevertheless, Barcelona believe that the situation could change in the coming weeks.
Ronald Araújo
The Uruguayan centre-back has made it clear that he also wants to stay. He has a buyout clause of €65 million in the first half of July, and the club are open to a sale, although sporting director Deco prefers to keep him. Any sale, as with Ter Stegen and López, will require a club to convince him to leave.
Andreas Christensen
Sport reports that Barcelona are calculating the numbers to be able to register Williams if the deal goes through. Christensen wants to stay, but with only one year left on his contract, Barcelona would prefer to sell him this summer. He has a high salary, and the club can try to push him out.
Oriol Romeu
After arriving for €3.4 million two years ago, Oriol Romeu is no longer part of the plans, but has one year left on his contract. Barcelona are negotiating to terminate the deal, which will save them money in the salary cap.
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Pau Victor
Barcelona have received interest in striker Pau Victor over the past six months, and the player is open to a move to get more game time next season. The Blaugrana have put a price tag of €20 million on him, but it remains to be seen what they can get for him.
Pablo Torre
Another potential departure is Pablo Torre. The 22-year-old has also wanted to stay, but wants more playing time. Sevilla is one of several clubs interested, along with Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Valencia, RCD Mallorca and Celta Vigo, according to Sport. Barcelona want a sale with a buy-back clause, but it is still unclear what offers they will receive.
