Paris Saint-Germain have admitted defeat in their pursuit of Euro 2024 star Nico Williams, who has turned down a move to France this summer.
Williams has been one of the main protagonists of the summer transfer window after leading Spain to glory at the Euros, with Barcelona keenly interested in the Athletic Club winger.
However, they are not alone in coveting the 22-year-old. French giants Paris Saint-Germain have been tracking his movements but Spanish outlet SPORT claim Williams has no interest in making the switch to Ligue 1.
The rejection of PSG will be seen as good news at Barca, but the Catalan side are still having trouble stumping up the right fee to get Athletic Club to sell their star winger. Club president Joan Laporta has even been accused of lying over their pursuit of Williams by rival candidate Victor Font, who also warned supporters about Barca’s credibility falling year on year.
Williams has been linked with PSG as well as Barcelona / Richard Pelham/GettyImages
Athletic manager Ernesto Valverde, who previously oversaw two La Liga title wins and a Copa del Rey triumph as Barca manager, has revealed he is relaxed over Williams’ future and isn’t looking at daily media reports linking him with an exit.
Barca have so far failed to make any new additions to the squad that finished second to Real Madrid in Spain’s top flight and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage last season.
Midfielder Dani Olmo is another major target, with Barca understood to have submitted an offer to RB Leipzig that totals a worth of €61m. However, the structure of the deal is said to have left the Bundesliga team unimpressed.
Manager Marco Rose has also admitted his side won’t be pressured into accepting a fee they deem to be below the Spain international’s value.
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