Real Madrid end interest in €62m-rated star until Vinicius situation changes | OneFootball

According to a recent report from SPORT, Real Madrid have officially ruled out the signing of Nico Williams this summer, and the reason is that Vinicius Jr. is going nowhere.

The Athletic Club winger, who is attracting widespread interest thanks to his €62 million release clause, was on Madrid’s radar, but any potential move now hinges entirely on the unlikely scenario of Vinicius departing the club.

Initially, Real Madrid had considered Nico as a possible replacement for Vinicius, especially as contract renewal talks with the Brazilian hit a wall.

Although his current deal runs until 2027, negotiations to extend it until 2030 have stalled. Vinicius reportedly wants to become the highest-paid player in the squad, while Madrid are hesitant to meet those lofty demands.

Fueling this standoff is the interest from Saudi Arabia, where clubs are willing to offer Vinicius astronomical wages far beyond what even Real Madrid can afford.

Nico Williams on hold

In light of this uncertainty, Madrid had quietly looked at alternatives and Nico’s name was naturally discussed.

Real Madrid are not interested in Nico Williams. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The 22-year-old’s impressive rise with Athletic and the Spanish national team has made him one of the most sought-after wingers in Europe. However, with Vinicius now set to stay at least until next summer, the Nico file has been shelved.

For now, the recent signing of Franco Mastantuono and the depth already in the wide positions make a move for Nico both redundant and financially unnecessary for Real Madrid.

But should Vinicius reconsider his future and opt for a big-money move, Nico would immediately become their top target for the left-wing role.

Meanwhile, Nico has made it clear that he wants to stay in Spain. His priority is Barcelona, where he sees an exciting project under Hansi Flick and the chance to play alongside several national team teammates.

However, Barcelona’s ongoing financial issues remain a hurdle. If the Catalan club cannot finalise the operation due to financial fair play constraints, Nico also has suitors in Bayern Munich and the Premier League.