Real Madrid's answer to Lamine Yamal! Nico Williams emerges as shock €58m transfer target for Los Blancos after Barcelona cool interest in Athletic Club winger

Per Marca, Real Madrid are keen on signing Williams and are reportedly considering triggering his €58 million (£48m/$60m) release clause, which was added to his contract after he penned a new deal with Athletic Club last summer.

Williams was a key target for Madrid's rivals, Barcelona, last year, but the player eventually decided to stay in Bilbao. Despite his rejection, the 22-year-old remained a key target for the Blaugrana until as recently as this week, when club president Joan Laporta told TV3: "He was one of the candidates last summer, we were evaluating [Dani] Olmo and Nico. We have a good profile of this player, who is an excellent player, but I think at this moment we are evaluating other options."

While Barcelona have cooled their interest in Williams, Madrid might still face competition from Premier League giants Arsenal, who are actively looking to bolster their attack in the upcoming summer transfer window and have long been linked with the Spain international.

Los Blancos will play their final La Liga match of the 2024-25 campaign on Saturday as they host Real Sociedad in Carlo Ancelotti's farewell game.