Nico Williams has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in the European market, with Bayern Munich now leading the race for the Athletic Club winger. Despite strong interest from Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea, Bayern have stepped up negotiations with the player and his representatives to secure a summer move.
According to reports from Sky Germany and Bavarian Football Works, Bayern Munich intensified their pursuit of Williams after talks for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola hit a standstill. While Barcola remains the Bavarian club’s top target, progress has been slow. Bayern have since pivoted toward Williams as a high-quality alternative who fits their tactical requirements.
Sources close to the negotiations confirm that Bayern have already held meetings with Williams’s representatives. The player is reportedly open to the move, and while financial terms are still a hurdle, the German club appears prepared to engage in serious talks. Williams’s current release clause is set at sixty million euros. His wage demands range from 7-8 million euros net per season.
Arsenal and Chelsea have monitored Williams for months. Both clubs considered triggering his release clause early in the window. However, the player’s preference to remain in Spain has been critical. Williams has shown clear reluctance to leave La Liga and is believed to be more comfortable moving to another Spanish side or remaining at Athletic Club.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Williams is happy in Bilbao and not actively pushing for a transfer. He recently renewed his contract with Athletic in December 2023, extending his deal until 2027. Despite the existence of a relatively affordable release clause for clubs at the top of the market, Williams has yet to engage with any of the Premier League suitors meaningfully.
Athletic Club, aware of the mounting interest in their star winger, have already initiated talks to offer him a new contract. The Basque side aims to increase his salary and raise the release clause to fend off both domestic and foreign interest. Club executives are determined to make him a central figure in their long-term project.
From Bayern’s perspective, the need for reinforcements on the wing is clear. With Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman struggling for consistency and fitness, and Serge Gnabry’s future uncertain, the club is actively reshaping its attacking unit. Williams offers the profile they target: dynamic, defensively responsible, and proven in a top European league.
At twenty-one years old, Williams has already impacted both club and country. His speed, dribbling, and tactical awareness make him one of Europe’s most complete young wingers. If Bayern can finalize terms, his arrival would mark a significant coup for the German giants.
The coming weeks will be critical. While Premier League clubs may re-enter the fray, Bayern’s proactive approach and the player’s current preferences give them a clear edge. Athletic Club, meanwhile, face a difficult decision. Either they secure a new deal that makes Williams untouchable or prepare for his departure in one of the summer’s biggest moves.