Luis Figo has thrown his weight behind Real Madrid in the race to sign Nico Williams, urging the Spanish giants to act fast and hijack Barcelona’s pursuit of the Athletic Bilbao winger. The former Ballon d’Or winner described Williams as a “gem” and believes his €58m (£49.5m) release clause is a bargain by modern standards.
Barcelona are currently seen as frontrunners for the 22-year-old, having reportedly agreed personal terms. However, the Catalans need to sell players to activate the release clause, creating a window of opportunity for their El Clasico rivals.
Williams has already turned heads at Euro 2024 and has become a hot commodity across Europe. Arsenal are also eyeing the Spanish international as part of their wide-forward shortlist, alongside Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
Speaking to AS, Figo named Williams as a dream signing for Madrid if budget were no obstacle. “I’d definitely sign Nico Williams. He’s a gem. Considering the current market, the price is reasonable for someone of his quality and age,” Figo said.
The Portuguese legend went on to admit he sees differences between his own style and Williams’, praising the winger’s blistering speed. “We’re different players,” he noted. “I preferred traditional wingers. But I wasn’t as fast as him—how I wish I had that speed.”
Despite the hype, Figo dismissed comparisons to his own playing days, focusing instead on the market logic behind targeting Williams. “From a value standpoint, I think he’s a bargain,” he said. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are adjusting to life under new boss Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the helm. Figo cautioned against early judgments on Alonso, stating: “He needs time to adapt. It’s the end of the season, and we can’t assess too much yet.”
The Club World Cup, currently ongoing, offers little indication of long-term managerial impact, Figo argued. “It’s still a title, but the most important ones remain the Champions League and La Liga. Let’s see how this new competition evolves,” he concluded. Williams’ future now hangs in the balance as top clubs circle and Real Madrid consider a potential late intervention to steal him away from their archrivals.