Bayern Munich learned a lesson in Nico Williams fiasco

It is no secret, Bayern Munich chased Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams hard this summer.

Both the Bavarians and FC Barcelona were vying for Williams, but the 22-year-old ultimately opted to sign a lucrative contract extension with his current club.

So…why all the hubbub?

Well, it seems that Williams might have really been open to leaving Athletic Bilbao, but maybe just for FC Barcelona. It is unclear if he really had any desire to join Bayern Munich. While the Bavarians might have come away empty-handed in the pursuit, the club did learn something per Sport Bild:

In the race for Nico Williams (22), Bayern came up short. He extended his contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2035 – and they will play in the Champions League next season.

Two key takeaways for Bayern: They were unwilling to match the salary offered by Bilbao, which was over €10 million net per year. And: If a player prefers to stay in his home country rather than take on a new sporting challenge, he might not have the right character for FC Bayern. One of the club’s main goals is to reintroduce a stronger winning mentality into the team.

Nico Williams (22) had already reached an agreement with Barcelona but ultimately chose to stay with his boyhood club.

Bayern legend Franck Ribéry (42) also says: “Quality is crucial, but so is mentality. Today, there are many very good players. What can make the difference is each individual’s mental strength and the will to always become a better, more complete player.”

The lesson might be a good one to learn, but this is not the first time Bayern Munich has been used in this capacity. Perhaps, it will help the club identify these situations earlier or maybe it will help them avoid being used altogether.