Barcelona turn to Liverpool as Nico Williams deal collapses

Barcelona has turned sights towards Liverpool after failing to convince La Liga star to move to the ‘Camp Nou’.

Barcelona’s pursuit of Athletic Club’s Nico Williams hit a major roadblock when Williams made a U-turn to stay at Bilbao with a fresh contract on sight. This has reportedly forced the Catalan giants to pivot towards the Premier League for talent.

With their financial woes complicating Williams’ potential transfer, Barça have placed Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Arsenal’s target, Kingsley Coman, on their shortlist of alternatives.

Williams, fresh off a standout Euro 2024 campaign, seemed destined for Camp Nou but is now expected to stay in Bilbao, even swapping his squad number from 11 to 10 in a signal of his commitment. Despite this, Barcelona remain keen on bolstering their attack, even as they struggle to register new signing Dani Olmo due to salary cap constraints.

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Luis Diaz, Liverpool’s dynamic winger, has caught Barça’s eye despite his mixed form since joining from Porto in 2022. With the Reds counting on him for a crucial role this season, any move for Diaz could disrupt Arne Slot’s plans. However, the Reds are reported to have placed a €60 million price tag on the Colombian.

Meanwhile, Kingsley Coman, who appears to be out of favor at Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany, is also a prime candidate. The Frenchman, one of the most decorated players in the game, has been linked with a move to Arsenal, but Barcelona could swoop in with a loan offer, potentially reshaping the transfer market.

AC Milan’s Rafael Leao is another option, though his long-term contract complicates any potential deal. As Barça scramble for solutions, the transfer saga could trigger a ripple effect across Europe, with Liverpool and Arsenal set to feel the impact.