One of the reasons Llorente (and Javi Martinez) didn't make the jump, a shame. But out of curiousity, would you add Nico Williams to the team, considering his break-out season came at LW?
.@MelchorRuizCope: "I am not aware of any Real Madrid interest in Nico Williams." 1925111648374661457 is not a valid tweet id
The reports linking us to Nico W might be leaks from the club to apply pressure to Rodrygo to leave. Assuming we play with a front-two next season, I genuinely think that they feel he is too much of a luxury to have on the bench given his market value. They want to cash in on him this summer, whilst his valuation is still high and he has several years on his contract still remaining.
It's kind of worrying to see rumours of us trying to Spanish up the squad. I hope our transfer policy is not limited by such factors. Especially not after a trophyless season. That would really make the board look like mouthbreathing idiots. As far as Nico is concerned, Romano confirmed there is definite interest... That's just mind boggling. Are we really turning into RMCDLW?? If we are going for Nico, that means we're not moving away from an attacking trident, and it most likely means Rodrygo is gone. If that's the case, why not push for Sane whose contract has ran out with Bayern? He's a proven top talent and a left footed right winger. Besides, didn't we consider a midfielder instead or is that all dead cause Modric is extending for another year? Eh... I don't know what to think right now.
Yeah, IF the Williams rumours are true, I don't see him coming here to spend time on the bench. It's not as if he would bring balance to the attack and midfield either, since Rodrygo does work fairly hard off the ball and tracks back too.
So I read on a Spanish forum that Nico was mainly a RW in his career until 2023-24. Inaki wasn't scoring enough as striker so Atheltic moved him to RW and Nico to LW in 2023-24. Transfermarkt data from 2022-23 back those claims. His numbers haven't really improved as LW compared to 2022-23 as RW.
His transfer would check a lot of boxes, but I'm not convinced by the rumours just yet: - Can play on either wing - Young (2 years younger than Rodrygo) - Net transfer fees would be positive if we sell Rodrygo - Spanish - Works hard off the ball - Physically strong
The only thing that makes sense about it is it continues the trend of getting players before our rivals get them. I hope Xabi was consulted before he was made a target. I doubt very much we will ever see a Bilbao player move directly to Madrid. Even if the release clause is met, I fully expect him to reject a move.
I still think our interest is quite unlikely. But if we are serious about it, which I hope is not the case, then Nico should be smart about it. His break-out season was at LW. We already have better players in that position, so he and his career are much better off at another club.
If we're signing Nico is because Rodrygo already has an offer and we've been given an offer (that we would accept) and all that nonsense about him being injured and not able to play is because that said club is in the CWC also.
This entire Nico Willaims rumor probably started from someone mixing up Nico Paz and Nico Williams... They thought about the amount of clicks it would get; then went with it anyways lol.
The funniest thing was we signed Guershon Yabusele for the basketball team and football sites were reporting that we'll sign Gerson the football player instead.
If the club wants a galactico go for Virtz atleist he is a midfielder and Xabi knows how to use him......is he needed not really but signing another winger and playing 433 again is madness....
Oh, I agree. To be honest, he has never really been a stand-out player to me, but he impressed for Spain at LW, that's why I mentioned it.
I don't believe the Nico rumours at all lol... might be a way for the club to put pressure on Vini regarding his contract situation. Nice try by the press...but first of all Nico Williams is far from being a galactico lol. IF we sell Vini for big money, I'd rather keep Rodrygo and see what he does on the left. Without Vini I see the club going for a 9 so that Mbappe can play off him where he's most comfortable.
Are we really going with that angle to justify this ridiculous idea? That Nico a good thing because he used to be also a right winger? Come on man.
Nico was fanatastic in the Euros. I don't watch Bilbao that much except some of their big La Liga and Europa League games. His G+A stats are very average and Rodrygo has been criticized for the same in his league career. Rodrygo is a better link up player while Nico has the relentless take on approach of Vini in the games I have seen. Both low volume scorers in league while Rodrygo has pretty good record in CL.
Nico Paz wants to return to Real Madrid this summer and prove himself to Xabi Alonso. He is emerging as a reinforcement for the Club World Cup: Real Madrid plans to exercise the buy-back option earlier than agreed. — @La_SER 1925182292109988269 is not a valid tweet id
Neither statistically or in any category was he better than this year's Rodrygo, let alone Vini. I think people haven't watched him since the Euros. https://www.fctables.com/uploads/in...us/358488/522191/rodrygo-vs-nico-williams.jpg