Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, asserted that the team has the funds to recruit Nico Williams, a winger for Athletic Club of Spain who has emerged as one of the surprises of this summer’s Euro 2024 in Germany. Williams, 21, re-signed with Athletic at the end of the previous season, but there is a release clause in his contract worth approximately €58 million ($63 million). Barça is unable to recruit new players because they are over their annual spending cap in La Liga, but Laporta is optimistic that they will soon get their finances in order and be able to pay players like Williams.
“We could commit to signing Nico Williams, economically speaking,” Laporta stated on Monday to Catalunya Radio. “Nico is a player I really enjoy watching. We are discussing potential hires with [new coach Hansi] Flick. We must now depart in order to close the operations we are working on with [sporting director] Deco.”Regarding the financial [problems], we will soon be able to share some positive news, and we will once again be operating within LaLiga’s Fair Play parameters. And that will make it possible for more encouraging [signings] news.”
Williams is one of the goals to bolster the offensive. He has been a major part of Spain’s run to the semifinals at the Euros this summer, which has greatly enhanced his profile. He scored and provided an assist in the 4-1 round-of-16 victory over Georgia last week, and he set up the game-winning goal against Italy, for which he was voted MVP. Williams and the Barça tandem of Lamine Yamal and Pedro have been questioned frequently while in Germany over the likelihood of them playing together at the Catalan club the following season.
Williams has developed a close friendship with Yamal, who has been watching him play for Spain, and Pedri, who has expressed a want for him to join Barça.Williams, meanwhile, has stated that his sole concentration is on assisting Spain in winning a fourth European Championship trophy this month and has refrained from thinking past the Euros. The Athletic forward’s brother, Iñaki Williams, is a teammate at the club. Spain’s next game is against France on Tuesday in Munich during the semifinals.
