Barcelona's hunt for Nico Williams alternative takes an unexpected turn
- Barcelona eyed Kingsley Coman as an optimal alternative to Nico Williams given his previous relationship with coach Hansi Flick.
- However, it appears the French international is off limits, as he’d prefer a move to his old club PSG.
By Rohan Borges
FC Barcelona's pursuit of Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman appears to have hit a significant roadblock.
Recent reports suggest the French international prefers a move to Paris Saint-Germain if he were to depart from Bavaria. This development comes as a disappointment for Barcelona, who had identified Coman as a viable replacement for Nico Williams after their pursuit of the Spanish winger fell short.
Coman, who flourished under Hansi Flick during their time together at Bayern Munich, was seen as an ideal addition to the Blaugrana squad. Flick, who led Bayern to a historic treble in 2020 with Coman playing a pivotal role, has an affinity for the dynamic winger and was eager to reunite with him in Catalonia.
Coman's ability to stretch defenses, create scoring opportunities, and contribute to the team's pressing game made him a perfect fit for Flick's tactical blueprint. However, it now seems that Coman is leaning towards a return to PSG, the club where he began his professional career.
As a Paris native, the allure of returning to his hometown and playing for France’s premier club offers a sense of familiarity and comfort that Barcelona simply cannot match. Moreover, PSG's financial muscle allows them to not only meet Bayern Munich’s valuation but also offer Coman a more higher weekly salary. — something Barca, despite recent financial injections, cannot realistically compete with.
Barcelona recently finalized the sale of Julian Araujo to Bournemouth for €10 million, just days after receiving a €40 million cash injection from a trip of investors. Still, Barcelona’s financial situation is sticky. The club is prioritizing making sales to balance the books and is reportedly open to listening to offers for key players like Raphinha and Ilkay Gundogan.
With Coman seemingly off the table, Barcelona will need to shift their focus to alternative targets to fill the left-wing position. While Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez have shown the versatility to operate on the flank, Flick prefers a more natural winger who can consistently challenge defenders and create opportunities in the final third.
Coman would have fit this role seamlessly, but the Blaugrana will now have to adjust their strategy as the transfer window nears its close.