Bayern Munich Eyes Spanish Winger Nico Williams for Summer Transfer
Bayern Munich has set its sights on Athletic Bilbao’s dynamic winger, Nico Williams, as a potential summer signing. Reports from Germany suggest the 22-year-old Spanish international, who shone brightly at the 2024 European Championships, is available for approximately €60 million, a figure below his estimated market value. While Bayern’s interest has been confirmed by multiple sources, including Bild and Sky Germany, the club maintains that their immediate priority is securing contract extensions for existing players like Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich. This positions Williams as a summer target rather than a mid-season acquisition.
Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, has emphasized the club’s focus on "internal transfers" during the winter window, highlighting the squad’s current strength and depth. This focus on contract renewals also extends to Leroy Sané, although the club is reportedly keen to renegotiate his current salary before offering an extension. While some may connect Bayern’s interest in Williams to Sané’s uncertain future, the Spaniard primarily operates on the left wing, a different position than Sané’s preferred right flank.
The pursuit of Williams stems from Bayern’s need to bolster their left-wing options. Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry, the current occupants of that position, face uncertain futures at the Allianz Arena. Coman rebuffed a move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, and Gnabry, despite a promising start under coach Vincent Kompany, has experienced a dip in form. Bayern’s previous attempt to secure a young left-winger, Désiré Doué, was unsuccessful as the teenager opted for Paris Saint-Germain. This reinforces the Bavarian giants’ desire to acquire a top-class player for the position.
While Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens remains another potential target, the substantial €100 million price tag demanded by Dortmund makes a move for Williams more financially feasible. Bayern has a history of successful acquisitions from Athletic Bilbao, including Javi Martínez and Bixente Lizarazu, both of whom played crucial roles in Champions League triumphs. This precedent, coupled with Williams’s relative affordability, makes him an attractive prospect.
Williams’s performances at the 2024 Euros, where he formed a potent partnership with Lamine Yamal, contributing two goals and an assist to Spain’s victorious campaign, significantly elevated his profile. However, his form since the tournament has been a subject of scrutiny, with a modest return of one goal and three assists in 17 La Liga appearances this season. This dip in productivity has raised concerns amongst scouts, but Bayern believes his potential within a more dominant attacking system outweighs these concerns.
Despite the recent dip in goal-scoring form, Williams possesses attributes that align with Bayern’s tactical approach. His exceptional dribbling skills and ability to progress the ball, as evidenced by his high percentile rankings in progressive carries and successful take-ons, make him a valuable asset in Bayern’s attacking system. The club is confident that his goal-scoring numbers will improve within their setup, potentially replicating the synergy he displayed with Yamal alongside Bayern’s own rising star, Jamal Musiala. Furthermore, acquiring Williams would be a statement signing, signifying Bayern’s intent to rebuild and maintain its dominance in the Bundesliga and European football. The young Spaniard could become the face of this new era at the Allianz Arena, drawing on the rich history of successful Basque players who have donned the Bayern jersey. The move, while not immediate, is strategically aligned with Bayern’s long-term vision.
