The ‘top’ wingers that FC Barcelona has in the market in case Nico Williams fails
FC Barcelona does not seem to have any doubts about the left winger it wants to have from the next 2024/25 season: Nico Williams. The talented Athletic Club player has been on the radar of the culé team for a considerable time. However, after his outstanding performance at Euro 2024, where the Pamplona native was one of the most important names on the offensive front of ‘La Roja’, scoring a couple of goals and providing an assist in six games, he has become a necessity It is imperative to try to acquire it in this summer market.
However, despite the Barça team’s interest in securing his services this summer, there are details that are not minor and that must be taken into account. The Barcelona squad has not yet resolved the issue of entering the 1/1 rule, which prevents it from betting on paying its termination clause, which is stipulated at around €58 million. Furthermore, the interference of economically very strong clubs, such as Paris Saint-Germain, and the pressure from Athletic Club, which has launched a great campaign from various sectors to retain him, are complicating this transaction.
Therefore, the Catalan cast must consider a series of alternatives as ‘Plan B’ in case this negotiation is frustrated. At FCBN we present five level alternatives that the culé club could consider in case Nico decides to continue in Bilbao or leave for PSG.
Luis Diaz – Liverpool
The 27-year-old Colombian left winger is an experienced option to reinforce the left flank. The one from Barrancas would land in Barcelona after having the opportunity to play for two renowned clubs in Europe, such as Liverpool and Porto, where he has proven to be an attacker with overflow and speed. In this sense, ‘Lucho’ stands out for his ease in dribbling opponents, being a guarantee of success in one-on-one duels. His greatest strength is usually his speed, which makes him difficult to catch when he starts in a race. His disadvantage is that he sometimes shows some irregularity in his ability to achieve the scoring opportunities he generates. However, he is a top attacker who could make the difference.
Price and salary
At this point, although Díaz could have a certain inclination to join the Barcelona team, the reality is that from a contractual point of view, his incorporation would be a complex transaction for the culé team. In principle, the option of signing him at zero cost is ruled out for the moment, given that he has a contract with Liverpool until 2027. Therefore, Barça would have to negotiate with the ‘Reds’ a possible transfer price, since there is no termination clause in your contract.
Given this, according to information from various sources, it is estimated that his market value is between 75 and 80 million euros, but Liverpool could ask for up to 100. In principle, it seems like a very complicated signing, although they do press for go out anything can happen. As for his salary, at Anfield he earns very little, about 3 net annually, so it would be quite affordable in that sense.
Jadon Sancho – Manchester United
Another alternative that FC Barcelona could consider in the market is Jadon Sancho, from Manchester United. The 24-year-old English player had a difficult start to the 2023/24 season due to a controversial incident with Erik Ten Hag, which led to his temporary exclusion from the team. However, in the second half of the campaign, during his loan to Borussia Dortmund, he showed that he is still a top-class winger. The Londoner stands out as a very technical winger with a lot of dribbling who never hesitates to go after his rivals with the ball glued to his foot and showing an impressive ability to disconcert his rivals with feints and changes of pace. In his ‘prime’, he is a footballer with excellent scoring ability and a great vision to assist his teammates, which makes him a very complete element in the attack and who can also play in the right sector.
Price and salary
Betting on Sancho could be an easier task, since, as mentioned above, not having the best relationship with the Mancunian team, they seem willing to let him go. In addition, its price could be affordable. As expressed in the ‘Daily Mirror’, Manchester United would have set an amount of €47 million to let him go, with Paris Saint-Germain being the main interested party in completing this transfer. His salary is higher than Díaz’s, but he would accept a reduction to play at the Camp Nou.
Leroy Sané – Bayern Múnich
The 28-year-old German left winger is another of the top candidates who could strengthen this position in the Barça team. The one from Essen already knows what it is to have experience in two great European teams, Manchester City and Bayern Munich, where he has proven to be an extremely complete player. In addition to being a born dribbler, he is known for his left-footed strike from medium and long distance, showing great efficiency when finishing. As a creative winger, he does not hesitate to get involved in the game, allowing him to perform as a natural playmaker, offering multiple solutions on the offensive front.
Price and salary
At a contractual level, his future remains uncertain. Leroy Sané’s contract ends in 2025. Although various sources have reported that he wishes to renew his contractual relationship, it is not known whether ‘Die Roten’ has offered him an extension yet. This option could arise, since the current coach of the Munich team, Vincent Kompany, with whom he coincided at Manchester City, could be interested in having him. If this does not happen, the winger could be available on the market for a price that was estimated at the time between €35 and €40 million. It would be an affordable addition in terms of price, but his salary could be a problem, since it is around 8 and a half net.
Kingsley Coman – Bayern Munich
The Parisian is a left winger who stands out for his speed and change of pace. In addition, he is widely known for his ability to leave rivals behind with great ease, being a very good dribbler, who constantly goes one-on-one. He doesn’t have much of a goal, and that, along with his usual physical problems in recent years, are his big drawbacks.
Price and salary
In the case of Kingsley Coman, the Bavarian team seems to be considering the option of letting him go this summer. In fact, according to what was reported in ‘L’Equipe’, it has been suggested that ‘Die Roten’ would have already included the Frenchman in the list of transferable players, with the hope of receiving offers in the range of 40-60 M€ . However, they may accept less as he does not appear to be a starter for Kompany. As for salary, it is over 7 ‘kilos’ net, so it would not be unaffordable for Barcelona.
Dani Olmo – RB Leipzig
The Egarense is included in this list for his ability to perform with solvency on the left side, as he has demonstrated on many occasions with RB Leipzig. His versatility also allows him to play both as a right winger and as a midfielder. In this sense, the one from Terrassa is the most complete player on this list since, although he is not fast, he can dribble and, in turn, can act as a ‘playmaker’ capable of managing the game, with a great ability to generate football and assist their colleagues.
Price and salary
Regarding the incorporation of Dani Olmo, the conditions are already on the table. RB Leipzig, the team with which he has a contract until 2027, seems willing to let him go. At this point, the ‘Red Bulls’ would be looking for a figure close to €60 million. Added to this, the ’10’ of the Spanish team has aroused the interest of clubs such as Manchester City and Bayern Munich, so there will be no shortage of suitors in this regard. Despite this, he will accept a reasonable salary because his priority is to play for Barça.