Joan Laporta Greenlights Barcelona’s Pursuit of Nico Williams – Reports
– FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reportedly approved a push to sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. According to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta’s stance changed over the weekend after the 22-year-old showed strong interest in joining Barça—apparently offering himself to the club before engaging in talks with Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
The prospect of pairing Williams with rising star Lamine Yamal has sparked excitement within the club and among fans. Many see them as the future core of Barcelona’s attack.
Although Barcelona has monitored Nico Williams for some time, recent discussions between his agent, Felix Tainta, and sporting director Deco have clarified the financial details. Internally, it’s long been known that Williams favors a move to the Catalan side. In fact, several Barça players who played with him in the Nations League have personally told Laporta about Williams’ eagerness to join.
Support for the signing also comes from other voices in the club’s leadership, who view Williams as a perfect fit—young, full of potential, and already well connected with current players. This aligns with the club’s focus on building a youthful squad rather than chasing older signings.
Meanwhile, Deco is still interested in Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, valued for his versatility and work ethic. However, Liverpool are not open to selling him, which has stalled negotiations. Marcus Rashford is another name on Barcelona’s radar, though talks are currently paused as the club reassesses its priorities.
All three players—Williams, Díaz, and Rashford—are believed to be open to joining Barça. However, sources within the club urge caution, noting that these deals are far from simple. As it stands, Nico Williams, with a set release clause and growing momentum, is the club’s most realistic target. Díaz remains an option, but Liverpool’s firm stance may make the deal harder to pull off.
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