Barcelona are keen to reunite Nico Williams with Lamine Yamal at the Nou Camp next season following their impressive performances as Spain won Euro 2024.
The pair were two of Spain’s standout players during their triumphant campaign in Germany; Williams ended the tournament with two goals and one assist, while Yamal – who only turned 17 a day before the final – contributed one goal and four assists.
Athletic Bilbao are determined to keep hold of the 22-year-old amid Barca’s interest and that of other top clubs in Europe.
However, his fee may be an issue for the Catalan club, as he has a buyout clause that is thought to be £53m (€63m).
Bilbao have also proven they can compete with the top clubs in Spain in terms of wages, having recently tied-down other Spain internationals to new contracts, such as goalkeeper Unai Simon.
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Former Barcelona Academy coaches Oscar Lopez and Albert Capellas tell Sky Sports why Lamine Yamal is so special ahead of Spain’s Euro 2024 semi-final against France
Sky Sports News reported earlier in the summer that Chelsea are among Williams admirers but are unlikely to pursue a move, due to his high fee in the main.
Williams repeatedly told reporters during the Euros that he did not want to talk about his future and the questions are said to have annoyed bosses at Athletic Bilbao.
Those questions were inevitable, though, given Williams’ explosion onto the European stage in Luis de la Fuente’s young team.
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Meet photographer Joan Monfort who is behind the viral Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal photos for a UNICEF calendar campaign back in 2007
‘Maradona, Messi, now Yamal’: The story of Spain’s sensation
In the latest instalment of the Next Up series, Sky Sports takes an in depth look at Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal with the help of his coaches.
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.