With Florian Wirtz closing on a move to Liverpool, Bayern Munich have turned their attention to signing a winger to strengthen the attack. The Bavarian club aims to focus on the left flank now that Leroy Sane has left the club to join Galatasaray on a free transfer.
Bayern have identified Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams as their top target to strengthen the attack. The Bavarian club has held talks with the Spanish winger, but they are set to face significant competition from FC Barcelona.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Williams has held talks with the La Liga champions regarding a summer transfer. Meanwhile, Foot Mercato has reported that Williams is open to joining Barcelona on a lower wage, which will certainly reduce the chances of him joining Bayern.
Sky Sports in Germany reported that Williams would seek a €20 million gross salary if he were to move to Bayern. Foot Mercato has reported that the Spanish winger will accept Barcelona’s previous offer of €12 million gross salary to complete the transfer.
Transfer fee is not a concern in this transfer as Williams has a release clause worth €60-65 million in his contract. Athletic Bilbao will not negotiate for the transfer fee, so any interested club will have to activate his release clause to sign him.
Athletic Bilbao are also fighting to keep Williams at the club for next season. They are ready to offer him a new deal if he decides against leaving the club this summer.
Bayern face stiff challenge with their priority targets in attack
Along with Williams, Bayern also have Rafael Leao and Bradley Barcola in the top three targets to strengthen the attack. However, the deals to sign each of these players are complex.
Barcola is a key player for Paris Saint-Germain. The Champions League winners have no plans to part ways with him this summer. The French forward is also not agitating for a move away from Paris.
Meanwhile, AC Milan want a fee closer to €100 million to part ways with Rafael Leao this summer. The Portuguese winger has been in tremendous form for the Serie A club despite their poor campaign. Die Roten have reportedly held preliminary talks with representatives of Leao.
Bayern will have to look elsewhere if Williams ends up joining Barcelona, since deals for Leao and Barcola are not realistic. The likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Eberechi Eze, and Cody Gakpo have also been linked with a move to Munich this summer.