Why Bayern Munich Want $73 Million Rated Nico Willians

Bayern Munich wants to sing Nico Williams. According to reports in Germany, the Athletic Bilbao winger is available for around €60 million ($62.5 million). While Sky has reported only initial interest, Bild has added fuel to the fire, adding that Bayern has already scouted the 22-year-old winger.

There is no doubt that Bayern is interested in signing the Spaniard. The release clause in his contract makes the transfer enticing. It would allow the Rekordmeister to sign the 2024 Euro star in a deal significantly below his €70 million ($73 million) Transfermarkt market value.

While Williams is a high priority, the player is undoubtedly a target for the summer rather than the winter. “The priority is on ‘internal transfers,’ which means contract extensions,” director of sport Max Eberl said when asked about January transfers. “When everyone is fit again, we will have even more options. We are extremely happy with the squad.”

This winter, Eberl will focus on signing Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich to new long-term contracts. Further down the priority list is Leroy Sané. Sané wants to stay at the club, but Bayern wants to significantly reduce his reported salary of €20 million ($20.8 million) before considering a contract renewal.

The kneejerk reaction would be to suggest that the interest in Williams and the Sané contract renewal are connected. But while the Spaniard can play the right wing, he is far more comfortable on the other flank.

Bayern has heavily relied on Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry on the left wing. Bayern tried to sell Coman last summer, but the Frenchman refused a deal that would have seen him head to the Saudi Pro League. Gnabry initially seemed to revive his career under new head coach Vincent Kompany but has disappointed for most of the first half of the season.

With both players having their future in doubt at the club, Bayern was in hot pursuit of Désiré Doué last summer. But the 19-year-old left-winger opted to join Paris Saint-Germain over Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich is also interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens. The Black and Yellows, however, want a significant transfer fee in the region of €100 million ($104 million). History suggests that Dortmund sees its high demands for English talent met.

That makes Bayern’s pursuit of Gittens less likely and trying to sign Williams more likely. Furthermore, Bayern has a long history of signing top players from Athletic Bilbao. The Rekordmeister has previously signed Javi Martínez and Bixente Lizarazu from the Basque club.

Both Martínez and Lizarazu were complex transfers for Bayern. In both cases, the long-winded transfer sagas were worth it for Bayern. Martínez in 2013 and Lizarazu in 2001 were key pieces in the club winning the UEFA Champions League.

Williams could now be the next star to join Bayern from Athletic. But what makes the winger such an enticing prospect for the Rekordmeister?

There is no doubt that Williams was one of the biggest stars at last summer’s Euros. The winger formed a dynamic duo with Lamine Yamal at the Euros, helping his country win the tournament by contributing two goals and one assist.

Part of the story, however, is that Williams has struggled since the Euros. He has scored just one goal and three assists in 17 LaLiga games this season. Indeed, the lack of scoring has been a significant concern for scouts who have watched Williams this season.

According to FBREF, Williams has some important attributes that could make him a good addition to Bayern beyond just scoring goals. Williams ranks in the 94 percentile with 6.01 progressive carriers per 90 minutes and 3.14 successful take-ons per 90 minutes among all players in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days.

As for scoring, there is a thought that Williams’ numbers will improve playing in a more dominant team like Bayern. There is also some hope that Williams can replicate the magic he produced by playing with Yamal when paired with Jamal Musiala at Bayern.

Finally, and this is an aspect that should never be underestimated at Bayern, Williams would be a statement signing. The Spaniard would be a big star in the Bundesliga, and the face of a significant Bayern rebuild over the coming years.